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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)
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De Maizière said: “Both these acts of violence (the Ansbach bombing and Reutlingen machete attack) have shaken us. I would like to commiserate with the relatives, with those who are injured. They have our sympathy and I hope they will recover soon and fully.”
He gave this detail about the Ansbach attacker’s asylum status (the translation is by Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle):
“The Ansbach perpetrator was a 27-year-old refugee from Syria who arrived in Germany two years ago. In August 2014 he requested asylum.
“As part of the asylum procedure there were indications he had already been registered as a refugee in other European countries. An application had been registered in Bulgaria and Austria. We contacted the Bulgarian authorities who informed us that the perpetrator had been afforded refugee status. As a result, on 2 December 2014, the asylum application of the perpetrator was refused, and deportation to Bulgaria ordered. The court in Ansbach reaffirmed this decision.
“Following that court ruling, medical certificates were submitted proving that the person in question suffered from psychological instability. As result the deportation order was suspended. On 13 July this year the deportation was again started, and deportation to Bulgaria was threatened and duly served.
“The perpetrator is said to have twice attempted to commit suicide which is why he spent sometime in a psychiatric hospital.”
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“Unstable people are vulnerable to radicalisation” De Maizière says according to BBC translation of his press conference.
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Possible links with Islamic state cannot be excluded from the investigation, De Maizière says. But the attacker’s mental health may also have been a factor, he said. Both things could also have contributed, he said. But he pointed out that the investigation is at the early stages.
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De Maizière says the Ansbach attacker had been given refugee status in Bulgaria which is why his application in Germany was refused. A deportation order was suspended because of the suspect mental health problems.
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Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, is due to give a press statement any moment soon.
Statement von #deMaizière @BMI_Bund @CDU zu Gewalttaten #Ansbach #Reutlingen - in wenigen Minuten live in #vorOrt pic.twitter.com/Rtbo2MzaIu
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Analyst Michael S. Smith, a member of the US Congressional Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, confirms there has been no claim of responsibility from Islamic State channels for the Ansbach attack. Analyst Michael S Smith, a member of the US congressional taskforce on terrorism and unconventional warfare, confirms there has been no claim of responsibility from Islamic State channels for the Ansbach attack.
TRACKING UPDATE No claim of responsibility for #ANSBACH attack posted in any of IS's official Telegram channels. pic.twitter.com/c4LS8kGa3bTRACKING UPDATE No claim of responsibility for #ANSBACH attack posted in any of IS's official Telegram channels. pic.twitter.com/c4LS8kGa3b
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Hans-Olaf Henkel an MEP for the centre right Alliance for Progress and Renewal, criticised Angela Merkel’s open refugee policy in the wake of a week of violence in Germany. Hans-Olaf Henkel, an MEP for the centre right Alliance for Progress and Renewal party, criticised Angela Merkel’s open refugee policy following a week of violence in Germany.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme he said: “This welcome policy of Frau Merkel has definitely incited thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people to take this risky route, from rather safe camps to come to Europe in the first place. So she must be blamed for the fact that a lot of refugees came because they got the impression that they were welcome by Germany. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, he said: “This welcome policy of Frau Merkel has definitely incited thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people to take this risky route, from rather safe camps to come to Europe in the first place. So she must be blamed for the fact that a lot of refugees came because they got the impression that they were welcome by Germany.
“This policy has clearly divided Europe. There is not a single head of state of state or government in Europe who follows the policy of Frau Merkel.” “This policy has clearly divided Europe. There is not a single head of state or government in Europe who follows the policy of Frau Merkel.”
Henkel claimed Merkel’s policy had contributed to the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. He said: “I followed the Brexit discussion in the UK and I noticed in the last couple of weeks of the debate, the discussion about immigrants got really in the forefront. I have noted that [Nigel] Farage and [Boris] Johnson could make a point by saying ‘look these refugees, which Germany now takes, will be integrated and once they have a German passport they can show up in London’. I was against Brexit but I’m afraid Frau Merkel’s policy had something to do with the result of Brexit referendum.” Henkel claimed Merkel’s policy had contributed to the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. He said: “I followed the Brexit discussion in the UK and I noticed in the last couple of weeks of the debate, the discussion about immigrants got really in the forefront. I have noted that [Nigel] Farage and [Boris] Johnson could make a point by saying ‘look, these refugees, which Germany now takes, will be integrated and once they have a German passport they can show up in London’. I was against Brexit but I’m afraid Frau Merkel’s policy had something to do with the result of the Brexit referendum.”
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Germany’s federal criminal police have 410 leads on possible terrorists among refugees, according to Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung newspaper, Reuters reports.Germany’s federal criminal police have 410 leads on possible terrorists among refugees, according to Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung newspaper, Reuters reports.
Investigations have been launched in 60 cases, the newspaper said. It cited federal BKA police as saying they did not currently have any concrete indications of attack plans.Investigations have been launched in 60 cases, the newspaper said. It cited federal BKA police as saying they did not currently have any concrete indications of attack plans.
“In view of continuing migration to Germany we must assume that there could be active and former members, supporters and sympathisers of terrorist organisations or Islamist-motivated war criminals among the refugees,” the newspaper quoted federal police as saying.“In view of continuing migration to Germany we must assume that there could be active and former members, supporters and sympathisers of terrorist organisations or Islamist-motivated war criminals among the refugees,” the newspaper quoted federal police as saying.
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15 injured15 injured
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
The mayor of Ansbach, Carda Seidel, is giving a press conference. She says 15 people were injured in the Ansbach attack, including four who are in a serious condition.The mayor of Ansbach, Carda Seidel, is giving a press conference. She says 15 people were injured in the Ansbach attack, including four who are in a serious condition.
No one suffered any life-threatening injuries, she added. Most of the injuries were mainly from splinters.No one suffered any life-threatening injuries, she added. Most of the injuries were mainly from splinters.
She says security measures were tightened after events of recent days, so that bag checks were introduced for Sunday night’s festival.She says security measures were tightened after events of recent days, so that bag checks were introduced for Sunday night’s festival.
Earlier it emerged that the suspect tried to enter the festival grounds but was turned back because he had no ticket. He immediately detonated the explosives in his rucksack.Earlier it emerged that the suspect tried to enter the festival grounds but was turned back because he had no ticket. He immediately detonated the explosives in his rucksack.
“Had he managed to get into the festival, there would certainly have been more victims,” Nuremberg’s deputy head of police, Roman Fertinger, said. The man’s rucksack contained the types of metal items used in woodwork and available at DIY stores.“Had he managed to get into the festival, there would certainly have been more victims,” Nuremberg’s deputy head of police, Roman Fertinger, said. The man’s rucksack contained the types of metal items used in woodwork and available at DIY stores.
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Police in Ansbach have appealed to witnesses to pass on their photographs and videos of the attack, according to Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle.Police in Ansbach have appealed to witnesses to pass on their photographs and videos of the attack, according to Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle.
Police are asking eyewitnesses to upload photos and videos from #Ansbach attack here: https://t.co/ttxjIHCotj https://t.co/6l5IEYk8bEPolice are asking eyewitnesses to upload photos and videos from #Ansbach attack here: https://t.co/ttxjIHCotj https://t.co/6l5IEYk8bE
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Police in Ansbach are due to give a press conference at 2.30pm local time (1.30pm BST).Police in Ansbach are due to give a press conference at 2.30pm local time (1.30pm BST).
Pressekonferenz für alle Medienvertreter mit IM Herrmann zu #Ansbach: 14:30 Uhr, Jakobsplatz 5 in 90402 Nürnberg (Raum: 0.36)Pressekonferenz für alle Medienvertreter mit IM Herrmann zu #Ansbach: 14:30 Uhr, Jakobsplatz 5 in 90402 Nürnberg (Raum: 0.36)
Half an hour later, Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, will address the media on the Ansbach attack and the earlier machete attack in Reutlingen.Half an hour later, Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, will address the media on the Ansbach attack and the earlier machete attack in Reutlingen.
Minister #deMaizière informiert um 15:00 Uhr näher zu den Gewalttaten von #Reutlingen und #Ansbach. pic.twitter.com/qoW9YM14haMinister #deMaizière informiert um 15:00 Uhr näher zu den Gewalttaten von #Reutlingen und #Ansbach. pic.twitter.com/qoW9YM14ha
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The Ansbach bomber received two deportation orders including one as recently as 13 July, AP reports.The Ansbach bomber received two deportation orders including one as recently as 13 July, AP reports.
He was due to be deported to Bulgaria. Kate Connolly has more of the background to his status:He was due to be deported to Bulgaria. Kate Connolly has more of the background to his status:
A federal interior ministry spokesman said he could not yet say why the suspect, who arrived in Germany in 2014 and whose asylum application was turned down a year ago, had not been deported. He was to be sent back to Bulgaria under the Dublin regulation, which stipulates that a refugee’s EU country of first contact is responsible for processing his or her asylum request.A federal interior ministry spokesman said he could not yet say why the suspect, who arrived in Germany in 2014 and whose asylum application was turned down a year ago, had not been deported. He was to be sent back to Bulgaria under the Dublin regulation, which stipulates that a refugee’s EU country of first contact is responsible for processing his or her asylum request.
Germany suspended the Dublin regulation rules last August, saying they were not working. The suspect, who has not yet been identified, is believed to have been granted temporary leave to stay in Germany due to the civil war in his home country.Germany suspended the Dublin regulation rules last August, saying they were not working. The suspect, who has not yet been identified, is believed to have been granted temporary leave to stay in Germany due to the civil war in his home country.
Related: Ansbach explosion: Syrian asylum seeker was due to be deportedRelated: Ansbach explosion: Syrian asylum seeker was due to be deported
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Kate ConnollyKate 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 home page warns that delays are to be expected as a result, for those entering or leaving the base.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 home page warns that delays are to be expected as a result, for those entering or leaving the base.
USAG Ansbach, which has eight barracks and about 8,000 staff, is the air traffic hub for US ground forces in Europe.USAG Ansbach, which has eight barracks and about 8,000 staff, is the air traffic hub for US ground forces in Europe.
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Kate ConnollyKate 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.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.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.
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The danger of attacks in Germany remains high, an interior ministry spokesman has said after four attacks over the last week left 10 people dead and 34 injured.The danger of attacks in Germany remains high, an interior ministry spokesman has said after four attacks over the last week left 10 people dead and 34 injured.
“The danger of attack has been high for a long time and remains high,” Reuters quoted the interior ministry spokesman Tobias Plate telling a regular government news conference.“The danger of attack has been high for a long time and remains high,” Reuters quoted the interior ministry spokesman Tobias Plate telling a regular government news conference.
Kate Connolly adds:Kate Connolly adds:
Germany’s interior minister Thomas de Maizière, 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.Germany’s interior minister Thomas de Maizière, 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 Maizière 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.”In a statement, De Maizière 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 for clues as to his possible motivation, in particular whether he might have been radicalised.Forensic teams were scouring the suspected Ansbach attacker’s flat for clues as 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 on why the man’s asylum application had been turned down.The government department responsible for migrants and refugees was expected to give more information later in the day on 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.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.”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 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.“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.
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.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.”
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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.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.
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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