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German authorities thwarted a potential attack in Hanau on Friday after arresting an Afghan asylum seeker found with knives, a balaclava, an axe, and inflammatory literature which called for the "death of all Germans"
German authorities thwarted another potential terror attack after an Afghan asylum seeker was arrested in Hanau, Hesse, with multiple weapons and inflammatory writings calling for violence against Germans.
The 33-year-old suspect, identified in a state parliamentary report by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as Hassibullah A., was apprehended last Friday following a tip-off from city officials.
The suspect first raised concerns during an appointment at Hanau’s Citizens’ Service office, where he displayed erratic behavior while attempting to deregister his residency and declare voluntary departure from Germany. After he left, staff alerted the police, who later found him at his asylum accommodation on Ludwigstrasse in Hanau-Steinheim.
A search of his belongings recovered two kitchen knives, a balaclava, an axe, a hammer, and written materials allegedly containing threats against Germans. The AfD report claims that phrases such as “Death to you Germans” and “Long live Afghanistan” were among the notes, though police have not officially confirmed the wording.
Following his arrest, the suspect was transferred to a psychiatric clinic, where he remains under police guard. The incident has raised significant security concerns, with the AfD suggesting that a potentially deadly attack was only narrowly averted due to the swift actions of Hanau city officials and law enforcement.
“It cannot be ruled out that it was only thanks to the quick reaction of the Hanau city officials and the police that the next serious act of violence by an Afghan with unknown victims was prevented literally at the last minute,” the report stated, as shared on X by local AfD MP Klaus Gagel.
“It remains unclear and remains to be clarified why the public was not informed about the incident in a timely manner,” it added.
The official AfD parliamentary request to the Hessian state government sought further clarification on the suspect’s background and his movements in Germany.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the suspect’s intentions and whether he acted alone or had connections to extremist networks.
The case has sparked renewed debate over asylum policies and public safety ahead of next month’s federal elections, particularly in light of recent attacks.
Last week, a 28-year-old Afghan national was arrested following a brutal stabbing spree targeting a group of daycare children and their teachers in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg.
A 2-year-old child died after multiple stab wounds while a 41-year-old man was also murdered as he attempted to intervene in the attack. Two others sustained serious injuries, including another young child and a daycare worker.
