Apartment searched after attack on police officer in Germany

Police officers are deployed during an incident on Mannheim's market square. A knife-wielding attacker who injured several people on a market square in the south-western German city of Mannheim has been shot by police. Rene Priebe/dpa

An apartment has been searched in the German state of Hesse following a knife attack at an event in the city of Mannheim that left a police officer critically injured, according to the state criminal police office (LKA).

The search on Friday evening was linked to investigations related to Mannheim, an LKA spokesman said on Saturday. Media reports suggesting it was the apartment of the suspected perpetrator were not initially confirmed.

The attack occurred on Friday morning during an event hosted by the anti-Islam Pax Europa movement. Several people were injured, including the policeman.

The perpetrator also reportedly underwent surgery after sustaining gunshot wounds during his apprehension and is currently not fit for questioning.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. Several media reports said the suspect is a 25-year-old from Herat, Afghanistan, who lives in southern Hesse.

Forensics officers inspect the crime scene where a knife-wielding attacker in the German city of Mannheim on Friday targeted a gathering by the anti-Islam right-wing group Pax Europa, according to members of the group. Uwe Anspach/dpa
Thomas Strobl, Baden-Wuerttemberg's Minister of the Interior, makes a press statement at the crime scene where a knife-wielding attacker in the German city of Mannheim on Friday targeted a gathering by the anti-Islam right-wing group Pax Europa, according to members of the group. Uwe Anspach/dpa
Candles, flowers and a piece of paper with the inscription "Against Terror" stand at the scene of the crime on the market square. The perpetrator had attacked participants at an anti-Islamic rally on Mannheim's market square on 31 May and injured six people, including a police officer. Uwe Anspach/dpa

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