A Spanish tourist was seriously injured in a stabbing attack at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial on Friday evening, prompting swift action by local authorities who arrested a suspect shortly afterward. The incident occurred just two days before Germany’s highly anticipated national election.
Police spokesperson Florian Nath reported that the attack took place at approximately 6 p.m. “The assault was likely carried out with a knife, though other possibilities are being considered,” Nath stated. The victim, a 30-year-old Spanish man, was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Authorities cordoned off the memorial grounds following the incident. Nearly three hours later, a man approached an officer within the secured area, exhibiting blood-stained hands that immediately raised suspicion. “Given the circumstances, he was swiftly taken into custody,” Nath explained, confirming that police also confiscated the weapon used in the attack.
The Holocaust memorial, officially known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, stands as a solemn tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi regime. The site is one of Berlin’s most visited landmarks, symbolizing Germany’s commitment to remembering its tragic past.
While the suspect’s motive remains unclear, the attack has added tension to an already heated political climate in Germany. Recent polls indicate that a far-right party could secure a second-place finish in the upcoming election—the first time such a result would occur in 90 years. The campaign season has been marked by several violent incidents, including a stabbing linked to an Afghan immigrant, which reignited national debates on immigration policy.
Earlier on Friday, German newspaper Bild reported the arrest of an 18-year-old ethnic Chechen suspected of planning an attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin. The overlapping incidents have heightened security concerns across the capital as the country prepares to cast its votes.
As the investigation into Friday’s stabbing continues, Berlin authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Officials have yet to disclose further details regarding the suspect’s identity or potential motives.
