Germany: Syrian Refugee Stabs Spanish Tourist at Berlin Holocaust Memorial

 
Motive: To kill Jews

On Friday evening, A 19-year-old Syrian refugee allegedly stabbed a Spanish tourist in the neck with a  knife, injuring him critically. The attack took place at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. The suspect, Wassim al-M., arrived in Germany from Syria, unaccompanied in 2023 and was granted refugee status. Residing in Leipzig at a refugee shelter, the suspect was known to local police for various minor crimes. 

Placed in custody by Berlin police, he reportedly stated that his motive was to kill Jews.

It is believed that the victim will survive after an emergency operation.

The below article from today’s Berliner Morgenpost is translated by Fousesquawk. Hopefully, we will be able to follow up with a translation of the video in the article.

19-year-old Syrian

Attack at Holocaust Memorial: What is known about the perpetrator

2-22-2025 17:38

Berlin: A tourist was attacked at the Holocaust Memorial and critically injured. The perpetrator is reportedly a (19)-year old Syrian. What is known.

On Friday evening around 6 pm, a terrible act happened at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin-Mitte (Central). A 30-year-old tourist from Spain was attacked from behind with a knife. That is reported by the police and State Prosecutor’s Office in Berlin in a joint statement.

The attacker then fled, but around 8:45 pm, approached the police at the scene of the crime. His hands were smeared with blood, and his pants had blood stains- the authorities immediately arrested the man. What is known about him? 

Berlin Holocaust Memorial: Suspect is a recognized refugee from Syria

According to consistent media reports, the young man’s name is Wassim al-M.  The suspect is a 19-year-old recognized refugee from Syria. According to up-to-date findings by the investigators, he reportedly came to Germany in 2023 as an unaccompanied minor refugee, that is, without his parents, and applied for asylum. That was granted to him, so he is residing in Germany legally. His residence is in Leipzig according to a joint statement from the police and State Prosecutor’s Office. According to “Bild” (newspaper), M. stated in his asylum proceedings that he had been “hunted, jailed, and tortured” by the deposed ruler, Bashar al-Assad. Since that was believed, he was granted protected status.

The investigation (reveals) connections with the Middle East conflict. The accused reportedly told police that the idea of killing Jews had been brewing in his (mind) for a few weeks. That is why he went to the Holocaust memorial. In the Syrian’s backpack, according to information, was a prayer rug, a Koran, a note with Koranic verses, with Friday’s date as well as the suspected weapon. An investigation is already underway in the refugee shelter in Leipzig. On Saturday, Wassim al-M. will be brought before the magistrate.

Holocaust Memorial in Berlin: Spaniard critically injured

The 19-year-old has made a clear impression, it is further stated. Whether there is any psychiatric illness is the subject of the investigation. There are presently no indications of connections to other persons or organizations.

The accused reportedly has no criminal record in Berlin, it is further stated. In Saxony, however, he is known to police for various crimes, Bild newspaper reports.  He has reportedly been (involved) in “simple violations of common criminality,” without political connections, (Bild) says, citing the State Interior Ministry.

National Security Police and a homicide squad of the State Police Berlin have meanwhile, taken over the investigations for suspicion of attempted murder and serious injury. “Due to the significance of the case, the Berlin National Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigation,” the explanation states.

The Spaniard who was attacked suffered critical injuries in his neck from the knife attack. Only through quick intervention by rescue services and an emergency operation (temporarily in an induced coma) could his life be saved. He is now out of danger.

Federal Interior Minster Nancy Faeser (SPD) stated, “The knife attack at the Berlin Holocaust Memorial is a heinous and brutal crime.” She demanded that the alleged perpetrator be severely punished and “deported directly from custody”. “Whoever commits such acts and abuses protection in Germany in the most disgusting way, has forfeited every right to be in our country.”

Source: http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2025/02/germany-syrian-refugee-stabs-spanish.html