A GERMAN politician has been stabbed in Mannheim days after a cop was killed in a knife rampage at an anti-Islam rally in the city.
Heinrich Koch, a local council candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was knifed in the ear and stomach on Tuesday evening.
The AfD district association said the incident occurred near the city's market square shortly before 11pm.
Koch, 62, was attacked by three people when he confronted someone pulling down AfD election posters in the square, according to Bild.
The politician was stabbed and rushed to hospital, where he is being treated for non life-threatening injuries.
Two New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times Square
One of the suspects was arrested on Tuesday night - with a manhunt reportedly underway for another two.
Cops in Mannheim confirmed there was a police operation underway - but provided no further details.
AfD state chairman Markus Frohnmaier said: "We are shocked and dismayed."
It comes after a 29-year-old police officer died following a frenzied knife attack in the same city on Friday - which left five others injured.
The knifeman who rampaged through the anti-Islam rally held by Pax Europa, named as 25-year-old Sulaiman Ataee, was "radicalised" in the last year, shocked neighbours claimed.
Ataee moved to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15-years-old.
He was initially refused asylum but was not deported because of his age, according to Bild.
The brutal knife attack has inflamed tensions over immigration in the run up to European elections - and prompted calls for tougher rules.
Far-right activists from AfD youth movement took to the streets of Mannheim on Sunday, demanding stricter asylum and migration policies.
AfD MP Nicole Höchst said "People who come here and don't appreciate our hospitality have to leave.
At least nine killed after New Year's Day stampede at shopping centre
"And we need to finally have a conversation about that too."
Local authorities described the rally as "extremist".
And on Tuesday, interior minister Nancy Faeser said the government was considering deporting Afghan migrants who pose a security threat after the knife attack.
Deportations to Afghanistan have been stopped since the Taliban retook power in 2021.
It is clear to me that people who pose a potential threat to Germany's security must be deported quickly
Nancy Faeser
But Faeser said officials had been carrying out an "intensive review for several months... to allow the deportation of serious criminals and dangerous individuals to Afghanistan".
"It is clear to me that people who pose a potential threat to Germany's security must be deported quickly," Faeser added.
"That is why we are doing everything possible to find ways to deport criminals and dangerous people to both Syria and Afghanistan."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said deportations to Afghanistan "cannot avoid key constitutional and, above all, security issues".
At around 11.30am local time on Friday, May 31, a YouTube live stream captured the moment a bearded man launched an attack at a rally in Germany.
Footage showed him brandishing a huge knife before lunging at far-right activist Michael Stürzenberger, 59, as they both tumbled to the floor.
The footage appeared to show Stürzenberger being stabbed in the face, neck and chest.
Police swarmed the scene as one of their officers was also attacked by the knifeman.
Two cops then aimed their guns at the attacker as he was laid on the ground and opened fire.
The police officer, who was stabbed in the head and neck, died on Sunday.
Following the rampage, Faeser said: "The investigation will clarify the background to this crime.
"If the investigation reveals an Islamist motive, then that would be further confirmation of the great danger posed by Islamist acts of violence that we have warned about."
Counter-terrorism investigators took over the investigation into the incident on Monday, as they looked to establish a motive.
