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Ansbach bombing: attacker was rejected Syrian asylum seeker, say officials – latest Ansbach bombing: attacker was rejected Syrian asylum seeker, say officials – latest
(35 minutes later)
9.19am BST
09:19
Just to underline the reason for the public nervousness in Germany – last night’s suicide bombing in Ansbach is the fourth attack to hit the country Germany in a week.
Here’s a summary of all four attacks:
8.53am BST
08:53
Official says attacker probably an Islamist
The Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, said it was likely the attack was the work of an “Islamist” suicide bomber, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports.
It quotes him saying: “My personal opinion is that I unfortunately think it is very obvious that there has been a real Islamist suicide attack here. The obvious intent to kill more people at least indicates an Islamist background.”
Earlier, German MP Stephan Mayer, home affairs spokesman for Angela Merkel’s CDU, said there were “hints” that the attacker was an Islamist. He didn’t say what those hints were.
Updated
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8.02am BST8.02am BST
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Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere has criticised the massive wave of false information and rumour that was spread on social media in the aftermath of Friday night’s shooting in Munich, writes Kate Connolly. The interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, has criticised the massive wave of false information and rumour that was spread on social media in the aftermath of Friday night’s shooting in Munich, writes Kate Connolly.
He said the social media reaction greatly impeded the security operation, as rumours and counter-rumours spread like wildfire across the internet. It is unclear if this was in part deliberate he said, but he warned in an interview that people who spread misinformation were open to prosecution. He said the social media reaction greatly impeded the security operation, as rumours and counter-rumours spread like wildfire across the internet. It is unclear if this was in part deliberate, he said, but he warned in an interview that people who spread misinformation were open to prosecution.
That was one of the reasons for hours it was thought there could be as many as three gunmen on the loose, he said. That was one of the reasons that for hours it was thought there could be as many as three gunmen on the loose, he said.
Meanwhile, the support group Amoklauf Winnenden, or Shooting Spree Winnenden, set up in the wake of the 2009 school shooting in the south-east German town, has called for far more preventative work to be done to stop such incidents from occurring. It pointing out that David Ali Sonboly, the perpetrator of the Munich attack had shown typical signs of a would-be mass shooter, had those around him known the signs to pick up on. Meanwhile, the support group Amoklauf Winnenden (Shooting Spree Winnenden), set up in the wake of the 2009 school shooting in the south-east German town, has called for far more preventative work to be done to stop such incidents from occurring. It pointing out that David Ali Sonboly, the perpetrator of the Munich attack, had shown typical signs of a would-be mass shooter, had those around him known the signs to pick up on.
A mother of a girl who was killed in the Winnenden shooting in which 16 people lost their lives, including the killer Tim Kretschmer, said potential perpetrators often sends out warning signals that could be picked up if people knew what to look for. A mother of a girl who was killed in the Winnenden shooting, in which 16 people lost their lives including the killer Tim Kretschmer, said potential perpetrators often sends out warning signals that could be picked up if people knew what to look for.
She says that in the current climate each shooting and terror attack “has the potential to trigger mind games in potential or would-be mass shooters”. She said that in the current climate each shooting and terror attack “has the potential to trigger mind games in potential or would-be mass shooters”.
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7.49am BST7.49am BST
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CDU: 'Merkel's refugee policy not to blame'CDU: 'Merkel's refugee policy not to blame'
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
German MP Stephan Mayer, home affairs spokesman for Merkel’s CDU, has rejected claims that Germany’s acceptance of so many refugees is to blame for the spate of attacks in Bavaria.German MP Stephan Mayer, home affairs spokesman for Merkel’s CDU, has rejected claims that Germany’s acceptance of so many refugees is to blame for the spate of attacks in Bavaria.
But speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mayer accepted that there “is a lot of space for improvement” in the way Germany deals with the influx of migrants.But speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mayer accepted that there “is a lot of space for improvement” in the way Germany deals with the influx of migrants.
He said: “Within one week we have had three serious and horrible incidents.”He said: “Within one week we have had three serious and horrible incidents.”
But he stressed it was important to “differentiate” between those incidents.But he stressed it was important to “differentiate” between those incidents.
He said: “The horrible attack in Munich last Friday didn’t have anything to do with the refugee policy. This was an 18-year-old guy who was born in Munich, whose parents lived in Munich.”He said: “The horrible attack in Munich last Friday didn’t have anything to do with the refugee policy. This was an 18-year-old guy who was born in Munich, whose parents lived in Munich.”
He said there were suggestions that the Ansbach attack was an Islamist.He said there were suggestions that the Ansbach attack was an Islamist.
“Yesterday [in Ansbach] certainly there are hints that the Syrian guy was an Islamist. He was a known criminal offender. His application for asylum was denied, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to withdraw him to Syria. But I wouldn’t [revert] to the position that it is due to our refugee policy.“Yesterday [in Ansbach] certainly there are hints that the Syrian guy was an Islamist. He was a known criminal offender. His application for asylum was denied, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to withdraw him to Syria. But I wouldn’t [revert] to the position that it is due to our refugee policy.
Mayer conceded that was “there is a rising nervousness among our public.” But he defended Germany’s refugee policy.Mayer conceded that was “there is a rising nervousness among our public.” But he defended Germany’s refugee policy.
“We were open to Syrian refugees. Horrible things take place in Syria. And it is the biggest humanitarian catastrophe, so it is completely wrong to blame Angela Merkel, or her refugee policies, for these incidents.”“We were open to Syrian refugees. Horrible things take place in Syria. And it is the biggest humanitarian catastrophe, so it is completely wrong to blame Angela Merkel, or her refugee policies, for these incidents.”
He added: “We have hints that there are IS [Islamic State] among the refugees. Certainly those whose application for asylum are denied have to be withdrawn immediately. We have to control everyone who crosses the German Austrian border. We have to register them. Our authorities have to improve.He added: “We have hints that there are IS [Islamic State] among the refugees. Certainly those whose application for asylum are denied have to be withdrawn immediately. We have to control everyone who crosses the German Austrian border. We have to register them. Our authorities have to improve.
“This tremendous flood of refugees, especially in the second half of last year, certainly was a big challenge, especially for our authorities. We were not able to register and to control all the migrants who crossed the German border. Now we have to regain sovereignty. There is a lot of space for improvement. No one expected more than one million refugees last year. This is a tremendous challenge and we are do everything to cope with it.”“This tremendous flood of refugees, especially in the second half of last year, certainly was a big challenge, especially for our authorities. We were not able to register and to control all the migrants who crossed the German border. Now we have to regain sovereignty. There is a lot of space for improvement. No one expected more than one million refugees last year. This is a tremendous challenge and we are do everything to cope with it.”
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I’m handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver in London, who will have all the developments and reaction from Germany and beyond. Thanks for reading.I’m handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver in London, who will have all the developments and reaction from Germany and beyond. Thanks for reading.
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at 7.21am BSTat 7.21am BST
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Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame was one of the performers due to play at the Ansbach Open festival apparently targeted by the bomber.Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame was one of the performers due to play at the Ansbach Open festival apparently targeted by the bomber.
7.04am BST7.04am BST
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I just need to clarify an earlier post. I said half an hour ago that it wasn’t 100% clear whether the armed police pictured in Ansbach this morning were outside the home of the bomber or another house.I just need to clarify an earlier post. I said half an hour ago that it wasn’t 100% clear whether the armed police pictured in Ansbach this morning were outside the home of the bomber or another house.
My colleague Kate Connolly in Berlin has established that he was living in a flat in the town but had lived in a home for asylum seekers before that.My colleague Kate Connolly in Berlin has established that he was living in a flat in the town but had lived in a home for asylum seekers before that.
Kate writes:Kate writes:
It appears that the asylum home the armed, masked police are guarding was where the attacker had lived, but was latterly in a flat in Ansbach. Police are currently scouring the flat for clues to the attack.It appears that the asylum home the armed, masked police are guarding was where the attacker had lived, but was latterly in a flat in Ansbach. Police are currently scouring the flat for clues to the attack.
There is also more clarity on his previous offences. Kate says:There is also more clarity on his previous offences. Kate says:
Police have said they had been made aware of the man on at least three occasions – once for possession of drugs, twice for attempted suicides.Police have said they had been made aware of the man on at least three occasions – once for possession of drugs, twice for attempted suicides.
6.56am BST6.56am BST
06:5606:56
Government must toughen deportation rules – Bavarian ministerGovernment must toughen deportation rules – Bavarian minister
Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian interior minister, has said that he will push the federal government to tighten rules governing the deportation of asylum seekers who break the law.Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian interior minister, has said that he will push the federal government to tighten rules governing the deportation of asylum seekers who break the law.
He says this issue has long been on the agenda, and not just because of Ansbach or Würzburg.He says this issue has long been on the agenda, and not just because of Ansbach or Würzburg.
Although the Syrian man behind the Ansbach bombing had failed in his bid for asylum, he had been allowed to stay in Germany because of the civil war in Syria.Although the Syrian man behind the Ansbach bombing had failed in his bid for asylum, he had been allowed to stay in Germany because of the civil war in Syria.
6.50am BST6.50am BST
06:5006:50
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
Back in Ansbach, police have shed a little more light on the record of the 27-year-old bomber. It was revealed at a press conference early on Monday that he was known to police but not why.Back in Ansbach, police have shed a little more light on the record of the 27-year-old bomber. It was revealed at a press conference early on Monday that he was known to police but not why.
But Hermann Lennert of the Ansbach police said on Monday morning that he had committed a “minor offence” in the past. He was also known because of an attempt to take his own life, Lennert said, something noted earlier by the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann.But Hermann Lennert of the Ansbach police said on Monday morning that he had committed a “minor offence” in the past. He was also known because of an attempt to take his own life, Lennert said, something noted earlier by the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann.
Armed and masked police are guarding the front of the asylum home in Ansbach where the man had been living.Armed and masked police are guarding the front of the asylum home in Ansbach where the man had been living.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.16am BSTat 7.16am BST
6.39am BST6.39am BST
06:3906:39
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
As the investigation continues in Ansbach, it is expected that Merkel will be forced to break off her holiday again to deal with the crisis.As the investigation continues in Ansbach, it is expected that Merkel will be forced to break off her holiday again to deal with the crisis.
Kate Connolly explains how the shocking events of the last week have caught her and her ministers away from their desks.Kate Connolly explains how the shocking events of the last week have caught her and her ministers away from their desks.
Merkel is believed to be on holiday in Uckermark, north-east Germany, where she has a house. The next three weeks of her schedule are officially empty, but it is unlikely she will have much time for relaxing now. She had been heading off on holiday on Friday when the Munich shooting happened, just as her interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, was called back from the US where he is on holiday with his family. He was also called back after Würzburg incident last week.Merkel is believed to be on holiday in Uckermark, north-east Germany, where she has a house. The next three weeks of her schedule are officially empty, but it is unlikely she will have much time for relaxing now. She had been heading off on holiday on Friday when the Munich shooting happened, just as her interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, was called back from the US where he is on holiday with his family. He was also called back after Würzburg incident last week.
Typically Merkel goes to the Wagner opera festival at Bayreuth in northern Bavaria but the main reception and concert she attends with her husband has been cancelled after events in Munich. She also regularly spends part of her summer holiday hiking in South Tirol, though that too is also in doubt as she deals with the crisis at home.Typically Merkel goes to the Wagner opera festival at Bayreuth in northern Bavaria but the main reception and concert she attends with her husband has been cancelled after events in Munich. She also regularly spends part of her summer holiday hiking in South Tirol, though that too is also in doubt as she deals with the crisis at home.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.20am BSTat 7.20am BST
6.29am BST6.29am BST
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News agencies have released pictures of German police outside “an asylum seeker’s house” in Ansbach on Monday morning.News agencies have released pictures of German police outside “an asylum seeker’s house” in Ansbach on Monday morning.
The Syrian man who detonated the bomb on Sunday night lived in the town but it is not clear from the captions provided with the pictures whether it is his address.The Syrian man who detonated the bomb on Sunday night lived in the town but it is not clear from the captions provided with the pictures whether it is his address.
6.22am BST6.22am BST
06:2206:22
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
Our Berlin correspondent, Kate Connolly, has been looking at the political fallout from the latest attack, which has left Angela Merkel’s government facing a full-blown crisis:Our Berlin correspondent, Kate Connolly, has been looking at the political fallout from the latest attack, which has left Angela Merkel’s government facing a full-blown crisis:
The German government has a crisis on its hands. While rightwing populists tried to claim, even as it was still under way, that the Munich shooting was a consequence of Merkel’s refugee policy after initial suspicions it looked like an Islamist terror attack, we now have a major security incident involving someone we know arrived as an asylum seeker from Syria – albeit not in last summer and autumn’s large wave – according to the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann.The German government has a crisis on its hands. While rightwing populists tried to claim, even as it was still under way, that the Munich shooting was a consequence of Merkel’s refugee policy after initial suspicions it looked like an Islamist terror attack, we now have a major security incident involving someone we know arrived as an asylum seeker from Syria – albeit not in last summer and autumn’s large wave – according to the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann.
It will be necessary for Merkel’s government to respond as quickly as possible to reassure Germans that such events are not going to escalate.It will be necessary for Merkel’s government to respond as quickly as possible to reassure Germans that such events are not going to escalate.
We’ve had the Würzburg axe and knife attack, perpetrated by a man said to be a 17-year-old Afghan who arrived in Germany two years ago (however, his identity is still unclear. It has been suggested he might just have been in possession of the Afghan passport and might not be 17).We’ve had the Würzburg axe and knife attack, perpetrated by a man said to be a 17-year-old Afghan who arrived in Germany two years ago (however, his identity is still unclear. It has been suggested he might just have been in possession of the Afghan passport and might not be 17).
On Sunday, a Syrian man knifed to death a 45-year-old Polish woman who is believed to have been pregnant (though police say there is still no indication this was a politically motivated attack). The Ansbach attack followed and had the man been allowed into the festival it could have been worse. All within the space of one week.On Sunday, a Syrian man knifed to death a 45-year-old Polish woman who is believed to have been pregnant (though police say there is still no indication this was a politically motivated attack). The Ansbach attack followed and had the man been allowed into the festival it could have been worse. All within the space of one week.
The government has also made repeated claims over the past few years that there are many terror attacks that intelligence agencies have managed to thwart, including at a football match in Hannover last November, which was evacuated due to an apparent threat.The government has also made repeated claims over the past few years that there are many terror attacks that intelligence agencies have managed to thwart, including at a football match in Hannover last November, which was evacuated due to an apparent threat.
This chain of events and the threatened state Germany finds itself in, could come to dominate September 2017’s general election, in which Merkel is expected to stand for a fourth term.This chain of events and the threatened state Germany finds itself in, could come to dominate September 2017’s general election, in which Merkel is expected to stand for a fourth term.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.32am BSTat 6.32am BST
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Reuters also has an anonymous quote from a US intelligence source saying that German investigators would focus on “what the bomber was doing before he left Syria, why he was denied asylum, and whether the attempted attack was personal or political”.Reuters also has an anonymous quote from a US intelligence source saying that German investigators would focus on “what the bomber was doing before he left Syria, why he was denied asylum, and whether the attempted attack was personal or political”.