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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)
12.08pm BST
12:08
Kate Connolly
Security measures at the US airbase in Ansbach have been tightened in the wake of the apparent suicide bombing. A message on the USAG Ansbach homepage warns that delays are to be expected as a result, for those entering or leaving the base.
USAG Ansbach, which has eight barracks and around 8,000 staff, is the air traffic hub for US ground forces in Europe.
12.02pm BST
12:02
Kate Connolly
Angela Merkel is on holiday in her private house in the Uckermark, a rural region in north eastern Germany, a 90 minute drive north of Berlin, writes Kate Connolly.
The German Chancellor is being kept constantly up to date with the situation by her closest adviser Peter Altmaier, who himself is in permanent touch with the intelligence authorities.
12.00pm BST
12:00
The danger of attacks in Germany remains high, an interior ministry spokesman has said after four attacks over the last week have left 10 people dead and 34 injured.
“The danger of attack has been high for a long time and remains high,” Reuters quoted interior ministry spokesman Tobias Plate telling a regular government news conference.
Kate Connolly adds:
Germany’s interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, who has twice had to return from a family holiday in the United States to respond to first the Würzburg attack, and then the Munich shooting, is due to hold a press conference at 3pm German time.
In a statement de Maiziere said “the acts of violence in Reutlingen and Ansbach have shocked me once again. My sympathy is with the relatives of the victims and the injured. The investigation is firing on all cylinders. I hope we will soon get certainty about the attacker’s motives.”
Forensic teams were scouring the suspected Ansbach attacker’s flat as to clues to his possible motivation, in particular whether he might have been radicalised.
The government department responsible for migrants and refugees was expected to give more information later in the day as to why the man’s asylum application had been turned down.
There have also been renewed calls today for tighter controls over the identity of refugees arriving in Germany.
Rainer Wendt of the main police trade union, said: “We’re experiencing these days that mental instability, terrorism and criminality are intermingled. It’s all the more important that we don’t just give shelter and care to people but ensure we know exactly who is coming into our country, and take a closer look whether they pose a possible threat.”
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The suspected Ansbach attacker was facing deportation to Bulgaria, a German interior ministry spokesman has confirmed, Reuters reports.The suspected Ansbach attacker was facing deportation to Bulgaria, a German interior ministry spokesman has confirmed, Reuters reports.
“Syrians cannot at the moment be deported to Syria at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that Syrians overall cannot be deported,” Tobias Plate told a regular government news conference. “Syrians cannot be deported to Syria at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that Syrians overall cannot be deported,” Tobias Plate told a government news conference. “The Syrian in Ansbach was facing deportation and this was to Bulgaria,” he said.
“The Syrian in Ansbach was facing deportation and this was to Bulgaria,” he said. A government spokeswoman told the same news conference that it was too early to decide on changes to Germany’s refugee policy before the results of the investigation into the attack were published. A government spokeswoman told the same news conference it was too early to decide on changes to Germany’s refugee policy before the results of the investigation into the attack were published.
“The acts of the last days and weeks do not show a uniform picture,” said Ulrike Demmer. “Most terrorists who carried out attacks in Europe over the last months were not refugees.”“The acts of the last days and weeks do not show a uniform picture,” said Ulrike Demmer. “Most terrorists who carried out attacks in Europe over the last months were not refugees.”
Updated
at 11.53am BST
11.24am BST11.24am BST
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The suspected 27-year-old had spent time in a psychiatric facility, AFP reports. The 27-year-old suspect had spent time in a psychiatric facility, AFP reports. It quotes Reinhold Eschenbacher, a social worker who knew him, saying he was “friendly, inconspicuous and nice”. Eschenbacher had encountered the suspected attacker when he came to his office to pick up his welfare benefits.
It quotes Reinhold Eschenbacher, a social worker who knew him, saying he was “friendly, inconspicuous and nice”. Eschenbacher had encountered the suspected attacker when he came to his office to pick up his welfare benefits.
A German health ministry spokesman told Reuters that the German government did not have reliable figures on the number of refugees in treatment for trauma.A German health ministry spokesman told Reuters that the German government did not have reliable figures on the number of refugees in treatment for trauma.
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Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, has called for solidarity in the face of “acts of hatred”.Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, has called for solidarity in the face of “acts of hatred”.
Wounds will be slow to heal but I call on all of you to stand strong and united against these acts of hatred. #AnsbachWounds will be slow to heal but I call on all of you to stand strong and united against these acts of hatred. #Ansbach
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.13am BSTat 11.13am BST
11.01am BST11.01am BST
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The man who blew himself up in Ansbach was to be deported to Bulgaria, according to a snap from Associated Press citing an official. Earlier, officials said the 27-year-old Syrian had been refused asylum but had not been deported because of the ongoing conflict in Syria.The man who blew himself up in Ansbach was to be deported to Bulgaria, according to a snap from Associated Press citing an official. Earlier, officials said the 27-year-old Syrian had been refused asylum but had not been deported because of the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The dead man had been in treatment after twice before trying to kill himself, the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, told Reuters. But he added that Sunday night’s attack was more than “a pure suicide attempt”.The dead man had been in treatment after twice before trying to kill himself, the Bavarian interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, told Reuters. But he added that Sunday night’s attack was more than “a pure suicide attempt”.
Earlier, Herrmann told a news conference: “It’s terrible ... that someone who came into our country to seek shelter has now committed such a heinous act and injured a large number of people who are at home here, some seriously.”Earlier, Herrmann told a news conference: “It’s terrible ... that someone who came into our country to seek shelter has now committed such a heinous act and injured a large number of people who are at home here, some seriously.”
He told Reuters the recent attacks raised serious questions about Germany’s asylum law and security nationwide. He planned to introduce measures at a meeting of Bavaria’s conservative government on Tuesday to strengthen police forces, in part by ensuring they have adequate equipment.He told Reuters the recent attacks raised serious questions about Germany’s asylum law and security nationwide. He planned to introduce measures at a meeting of Bavaria’s conservative government on Tuesday to strengthen police forces, in part by ensuring they have adequate equipment.
An unnamed US intelligence official told Reuters that investigators would focus on what the bomber was doing before he left Syria and why he was denied asylum.An unnamed US intelligence official told Reuters that investigators would focus on what the bomber was doing before he left Syria and why he was denied asylum.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the Ansbach attack.There has been no claim of responsibility for the Ansbach attack.
So far official #ISIS communication channels have not claimed #Ansbach blast. https://t.co/5gxgiIV63tSo far official #ISIS communication channels have not claimed #Ansbach blast. https://t.co/5gxgiIV63t
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at 11.36am BSTat 11.36am BST
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A resident of the asylum shelter raided by the police said the suspected attacker liked attention. The resident had occasionally drunk coffee with the attacker and they had discussed religion, Associated Press reports.A resident of the asylum shelter raided by the police said the suspected attacker liked attention. The resident had occasionally drunk coffee with the attacker and they had discussed religion, Associated Press reports.
Alireza Khodadadi said the man, whom he would identify only as Mohammed, had told him that the extremist Islamic State group was not representative of Islam.Alireza Khodadadi said the man, whom he would identify only as Mohammed, had told him that the extremist Islamic State group was not representative of Islam.
“He always said that, no, I’m not with them, I don’t like them and such stuff. But I think he had some issues because, you know, he told lies so often without any reason, and I understand that he wants to be in the centre of (attention), you know, he needed (attention),” Khodadadi said.“He always said that, no, I’m not with them, I don’t like them and such stuff. But I think he had some issues because, you know, he told lies so often without any reason, and I understand that he wants to be in the centre of (attention), you know, he needed (attention),” Khodadadi said.
A team of 30 investigators were interviewing the man’s acquaintances and examining evidence collected from his home.A team of 30 investigators were interviewing the man’s acquaintances and examining evidence collected from his home.
Police were photographed removing crates of the suspected attacker’s belongings.Police were photographed removing crates of the suspected attacker’s belongings.
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Police in Bavaria are playing down the “personal view” of the interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, that the Ansbach attacker was an Islamist.Police in Bavaria are playing down the “personal view” of the interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, that the Ansbach attacker was an Islamist.
A spokeswoman for Bavaria’s police force told Reuters it was unclear whether the 27-year-old Syrian man was an Islamist or not.A spokeswoman for Bavaria’s police force told Reuters it was unclear whether the 27-year-old Syrian man was an Islamist or not.
Earlier, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in Ansbach said the attacker’s motive was unclear. “If there is an Islamist link or not is purely speculation at this point,” said the spokesman, Michael Schrotberger.Earlier, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in Ansbach said the attacker’s motive was unclear. “If there is an Islamist link or not is purely speculation at this point,” said the spokesman, Michael Schrotberger.
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Here’s what we know so far:Here’s what we know so far:
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.24am BSTat 10.24am BST
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Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, is due to hold a press conference at 3pm local time (2pm BST) on both the Ansbach suicide bombing and the Reutlingen machete attack.Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, is due to hold a press conference at 3pm local time (2pm BST) on both the Ansbach suicide bombing and the Reutlingen machete attack.
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere holds press conference at 3pm CEST on #Ansbach and #Reutlingen attacksGerman Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere holds press conference at 3pm CEST on #Ansbach and #Reutlingen attacks
Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports that the Reutlingen attacker was working in the same restaurant as his victim – a 45-year-old Polish woman who was pregnant.Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports that the Reutlingen attacker was working in the same restaurant as his victim – a 45-year-old Polish woman who was pregnant.
Machetenattacke: Angreifer und Opfer arbeiteten in Gaststätte https://t.co/OGYAerrA0O via @SWPde (ap) pic.twitter.com/9j2caPp0vmMachetenattacke: Angreifer und Opfer arbeiteten in Gaststätte https://t.co/OGYAerrA0O via @SWPde (ap) pic.twitter.com/9j2caPp0vm
9.29am BST9.29am BST
09:2909:29
Our latest news story summarises the main developments in Ansbach attack.Our latest news story summarises the main developments in Ansbach attack.
Related: Ansbach blast: Syrian asylum seeker kills himself and injures 12 in GermanyRelated: Ansbach blast: Syrian asylum seeker kills himself and injures 12 in Germany
Ansbach is in northern Bavaria to the west of Nuremberg as this map shows.Ansbach is in northern Bavaria to the west of Nuremberg as this map shows.
9.19am BST9.19am BST
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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 in a week.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 in a week.
Here’s a summary of all four attacks:Here’s a summary of all four attacks:
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.23am BSTat 9.23am BST
8.53am BST8.53am BST
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Official says attacker probably an IslamistOfficial 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.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.”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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.17am BSTat 9.17am BST
8.02am BST8.02am BST
08:0208:02
Kate ConnollyKate 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.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 that 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 (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 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”.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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at 9.19am BSTat 9.19am BST