A policeman who was stabbed in the head during an anti-Islam rally in Germany has died, authorities have announced.
The 29-year-old officer was attacked in Mannheim, southwest Germany, at about 11.30am local time on Friday. He was reportedly stabbed several times in the head. The officer was taken to hospital for emergency surgery after the attack and was placed in an induced coma on Friday.
However, he could not survive the fatal wounds and was pronounced dead on Sunday. A joint statement from the German police and prosecutors said: "The 29-year-old police officer who was seriously injured in a knife attack on May 31, 2024 on Mannheim's market square died on June 2 as a result of his injuries.
The officer was stabbed in Mannheim's market square on May 31 (Youtube)"At a rally on the market square, a 25-year-old man attacked several people with a knife, seriously injuring six of them. He stabbed the police officer several times in the head area. He underwent emergency surgery immediately after the attack and was placed in an artificial coma, but succumbed to his serious injuries in the late afternoon hours of June 2nd. We mourn the loss of a police officer who gave his life for our safety."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X, saying he was deeply saddened by the officer's tragic death. He wrote: "His commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition. In these bitter hours, my thoughts are with his family and all those who mourn him."
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Paramedics were seen treating stab victims at the market place (AP)Footage streamed live on YouTube showed anti-Islam activists from the Pax Europa preparing to hold a small rally when a knifeman ran up to one man and started stabbing him. Bystanders were seen rushing to help the victim who was set upon by the attacker, who was tackled to the ground. Moments later the attacker was seen thrusting his bloody knife in the direction of the victim's head.
Bystanders then tussled with the knifeman on the ground, trying to pull him away from the first victim who remained on the floor. Footage showed the victim suffered at least one knife wound to the back of his left leg with blood splattered across the cobbled ground.
The attack was streamed live on YouTube (Youtube)The knifeman, named as 25-year-old Sulaiman Ataee, managed to break free and proceeded to attack one of the men who tussled with him just moments before. He then could be seen stabbing a police officer in the back. At this point approaching police officers are seen discharging their weapons and the attacker falls to the floor. The attacker was shot dead, according to Bild.
A neighbour of the attacker told Mail Online that Ataee became "radicalised" over the last few months, adding: "He used to be normal. Recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved - and also more aggressive."
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