The Afghan asylum seeker arrested for a brutal knife attack in Aschaffenburg, which left a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man dead, had a known history of violence and mental health issues. Enamullah O., a 28-year-old Afghan national, had been legally required to leave Germany by the end of 2023.
He entered Germany in November 2022 after traveling through several European countries, including Bulgaria, Austria, and France, taking advantage of the EU’s open-border policies.
Despite being flagged by authorities for various offenses, including drug possession and involvement in violent incidents, O. remained in Germany. Reports reveal that after being admitted to a psychiatric facility, he was still not deported. Legally obligated to leave, O. had promised to voluntarily exit Germany by December 2024 but failed to follow through and missed necessary appointments with immigration authorities.
On Wednesday, O. launched an unprovoked attack on a daycare group in Schöntal Park, stabbing two children and killing one, while also fatally injuring a passerby who tried to intervene. A teacher was also injured. O. was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria but was allowed to remain in the country, which led to tragic consequences.
German officials, including Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, emphasized that there was no immediate evidence linking the attack to Islamist motives, but the incident has raised concerns over Germany’s immigration and asylum policies. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, calling it a possible “terrorist act” and expressing frustration with recurring acts of violence by asylum seekers.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also expressed shock, echoing similar sentiments from past incidents involving foreign nationals. CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz called for changes, stating that “things cannot continue like this.” Meanwhile, anti-globalist politician Alice Weidel from the AfD demanded “immediate remigration.”
The attack, just weeks before Germany’s upcoming federal elections, has sparked heated debate over immigration policies in the country.
