Mannheim, Germany marks police anniversary stabbing

Mannheim, southwestern Germany, commemorated the murdered policeman Rouven Laur on the market square on Saturday, who was killed a year ago in a knife attack.

Regional Interior Minister Thomas Strobl, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Mannheim Mayor Christian Spect unveiled a commemorative plaque to commemorate the events of May 31, 2024. A plaque commemorating the 29-year-old policeman was also introduced.

“Anyone who attacks our police will attack the rule of law and ultimately attack all of us,” Stroub stressed in his speech, adding that it is necessary to protect those who protect society.

Mayor Spepht said: “We pause to remember a model, brave policeman who gave his life to serve our society.”

“The Crime Site Market Square has become a memorial place for silence – embedded in the heart of our city,” Specht added.

The officer’s family said it

Raul’s family also spoke through the mayor. Relatives hope the 29-year-old’s death will not be futile. Ultimately, they say, it is not the knives that kill people, but the people who choose to use them to commit violence.

A total of 1,500 people were on site for interfaith peace prayers.

Local clergy from Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Jewish, Muslim and Avette communities participated in the service.

Trial was launched in February

The federal prosecutor’s office firmly believes that the 26-year-old Islamic perpetrator was identified as Sulaiman, who injured six people with a knife in the Mannheim attack, namely, five participants in a rally held by the anti-Islamic citizen movement Pax Europa (BPE) and Larur.

Two days later, the police succumbed to his serious injury.

The trial of Islamists accused of murder and murder has been in the Stuttgart High District Court since February.

Pax Europa initially registered its own vigil in Mannheim on Saturday. City officials said registration for the event was withdrawn.