Convicted prison sentence for Sulaiman Ataee, the accused assassin from Mannheim
In a landmark ruling, the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart has sentenced Sulaiman Ataee, the Afghan man known as the Mannheim attacker, to life imprisonment for the murder of police officer Rouven Laur.
The court's conviction states that Ataee, who entered Germany as an unaccompanied minor in March 2013, had been radicalizing for years and identified with the terrorist organization "Islamic State". The attack, which took place on Mannheim's market square on May 31, 2024, saw Ataee stabbing Laur in the neck, resulting in his death, and injuring five others severely.
Before the attack, Ataee lived on welfare benefits and was described by acquaintances as "polite, reserved, and helpful". He married his wife at the beginning of 2019 and started a family with their two children, now aged three and four. The name of his wife, who holds German citizenship, remains undisclosed in the available information.
The attack caused great consternation nationwide, leading to a memorial service for the murdered police officer in Mannheim attended by around 2,000 police officers and citizens. It also sparked calls from the federal and state governments for stricter gun laws, including a ban on switchblades, stricter guidelines for blade lengths, and expanded knife ban zones.
During his time in Germany, Ataee had no job and lived for several years in the small town of Lorsch, about 30 kilometers from Mannheim. His immigration status was protected, with the authority rejecting his asylum application but issuing a ban on deportation due to his age.
The judges in the case determined the particular gravity of the offense, making early release after 15 years impossible. The attack on the rally by Islam critic Michael Stürzenberger was Ataee's goal, as determined by the court, with the intention to kill Stürzenberger and as many others as possible.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of vigilance and strong laws to protect citizens.
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