German interior minister criticizes Bavaria over Aschaffenburg attack

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Thursday criticized authorities in the southern state of Bavaria following the fatal stabbings in Aschaffenburg.

The minister said Bavarian officials must explain why the Afghan suspect in the attack had still been at large at the time of the stabbings, despite having earlier committed several violent offences.

“Obviously some things went wrong in Bavaria,” said Faeser in Berlin.

Investigations must now focus on why the perpetrator was still in Germany and how the local police and justice system had dealt with him.

“The rule of law must show toughness. That includes the authorities, police and judiciary,” said Faeser.

The minister said the current German government has “massively tightened” laws on the deportation of violent offenders, allowing for more deportations and more security in public spaces through weapons bans and controls.

Germany is also the only country in Europe to have deported criminals to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power, Faeser said, while revealing that efforts are being made to prepare further flights.