One day after an attack in Munich, Germany, carried out by an Afghan asylum seeker, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the scene today, Friday, February 15, to pay tribute to the victims.
At the same time, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Karzai expressed condolences to the victims and their families, wished happiness and health for the German people, and thanked Germany for its continued support of Afghanistan.
The attack occurred on Thursday when a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, Farhad Nouri, deliberately drove his car into a crowd participating in a trade union demonstration organized by Verdi. At least 30 people were injured, with some in critical condition.
The Bavarian police reported that the attacker accelerated toward the protesters after bypassing police vehicles, indicating deliberate intent. He was arrested at the scene and is currently in custody. Authorities confirmed that he no longer poses a threat to the public.
Farhad Nouri arrived in Germany in 2016 as an unaccompanied minor and had his asylum request rejected in 2020. However, due to the security situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover, his deportation was halted. He reportedly had a criminal record, including minor offenses such as theft and drug-related violations, but no known ties to extremist groups.
The incident occurred just days before Germany’s federal elections on February 23, intensifying political debates on immigration and public security.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party called for stricter immigration laws in response to the attack.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to accelerating deportations of convicted criminals to Afghanistan, stating that these measures would continue to be enforced strictly.
This marks the third attack by asylum seekers in Germany in the past three months, escalating concerns about immigration policies and public safety.
As Germany navigates these political and social challenges, the Munich attack is expected to fuel further debates about migration, integration, and national security policies in the country.
