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Trial of the Solingen terrorist attack: Witnesses report horror
Trial surrounding the Islamist terrorist attack in Solingen: Witness interviews begin as the city plans a commemoration.
Trial of the Solingen terrorist attack: Witnesses report horror
The trial surrounding the suspected Islamist-motivated terrorist attack in Solingen is entering the next round. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, further witnesses will be invited to be questioned, including a man who appears as a co-plaintiff. Time online reports that the attack took place on August 23, 2024 and tragically left three people dead while numerous others were injured.
The defendant, Issa al H. (27), is charged by the federal prosecutor with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. He is also said to be a member of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), which claimed responsibility for the attack. At the beginning of the trial, Al H. confessed to having committed the crime, but denied the allegations regarding his IS membership ZDF Today determines.
A cruel incident
The background to the attack is frightening: Al H. is said to have targeted “infidels” during a city festival, which was motivated by a radical Islamist ideology. Not only did the three victims die in the attack, but several survivors are still suffering from the psychological and physical consequences of this brutal attack to this day. Some of them had already testified in court in June and it is expected that the trial will continue to have a major impact on many lives.
The indictment also accuses Al H. of grievous bodily harm and grievous bodily harm. Among other things, the murder feature of treachery is included in the indictment. In order to clarify the role of IS in this terrible act, the parliamentary investigative committee in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament is looking into possible failings on the part of the state government and the evidence found, including a second cell phone that was seized from Al H.
Social context and political reactions
The security situation in Germany is tense. Loud Protection of the Constitution More than 28,000 people are still categorized as an Islamist threat in Germany, a high proportion of whom were inspired by the Salafist movement. IS and other jihadist groups are active and motivate violence. There is an urgent need to address these deficiencies in the security architecture.
This discussion could also put pressure on Refugee Minister Josefine Paul (The Greens). She could not be reached at a memorial service at the time of the attack, which is causing mixed opinions in the political debate. Members of the state parliament and the public are eagerly awaiting the results of the ongoing investigation, which will last until the end of October 2025.
One year after the cruel act, a memorial to the victims is already planned for August 23rd. Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) will take part in the event, which will take place in cooperation with the Protestant church district on the Fronhof, the site of the attack. Solingen is faced with the challenge of dealing with this terrible experience and giving the victims the honor they deserve.