The state legislature in North Rhine-Westphalia is launching an investigation into the deadly knife attack in Solingen, which occurred six days prior. This violent incident, suspected to be an Islamist attack, has prompted the three opposition parties to petition for an extraordinary joint meeting of the interior and integration committees in Düsseldorf. The sole focus of this gathering, scheduled to last up to three hours, is to scrutinize the state government's findings on the alleged IS terror attack.
The SPD, FDP, and AfD expect Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) and Refugee Minister Josefine Paul (Greens) to provide comprehensive answers during this meeting. The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian named Issa Al H., stabbed three individuals to death and injured eight others during a city festival on the previous Friday evening. He is currently being held in Düsseldorf, under investigation by the Federal Prosecutor's Office for murder, among other charges. Additionally, there are suspicions of his membership in the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), which claimed responsibility for the act and published a video featuring an unmasked man, believed to be the perpetrator.
In 2023, Issa Al H. was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria, but the plans failed. Minister Paul highlighted issues at the Paderborn emergency shelter, where the Syrian resided, as well as the Central Foreigners' Authority's failure to organize a new return flight for him on June 5th, 2023. These missteps have led the minister to propose stricter regulations and modifications to prevent similar future mishaps.
Reul has already proposed a ten-point plan to reduce knife violence, and the opposition groups express their concerns during this extraordinary meeting in Düsseldorf. They anticipate detailed responses from Ministers Reul and Paul about the alleged perpetrator's deportation issues and the state government's findings.
Despite the criticism directed towards the North Rhine-Westphalian government, further details and insights reveal contradictions and inconsistencies in the deportation process, amplifying tensions surrounding the immigration policies.
Sources:
Enrichment Data:
- The suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, which occurred in 2024, resulted in the death of three individuals and the injury of eight others during a city festival. The 26-year-old Syrian accused of committing these crimes was initially scheduled for deportation to Bulgaria in 2023 but ultimately remained in Germany.
- The circumstances of the suspected terror attack and its aftermath have led to significant criticisms of the North Rhine-Westphalian government's deportation process and handling of refugee policy. Contradictions and inconsistencies have been highlighted between Minister Paul's statements and required documentation, with the opposition calling for her resignation.
- The incident has further stirred discussions and debates around immigration policies and asylum seekers, as calls for stricter legal frameworks and tighter border control have gained momentum ahead of parliamentary elections.
