An assassin attacked critic of Islam Stürzenberger using a combat knife. - A sewing needle almost pierced my lung.
Michael Stuerzenberger, a critic of Islam, was at a "Pax Europa" citizens' protest in Mannheim's market square when the 25-year-old Afghan man Sulaiman A. rushed towards him with a knife.
The attacker left five people injured before being shot by police and subdued.
Stuerzenberger: "It was a close call"
Michael Stuerzenberger shared his experience, saying that a knife wound near his chest had just missed his lung by a hair's breadth. He also had screws in his jaw, a deep wound in his lip where his teeth were visible, and a hit on his femoral artery.
Stuerzenberger is unsure if he'll experience any long-term damage. He's currently waiting in the hospital for more tests: "The doctors will be coming by later," he wrote.
"Officers protect me"
Before this attack, Stuerzenberger had already experienced a potentially dangerous situation. In April 2024, he held a demonstration on Frankfurt's Zeil shopping street which ended prematurely due to hecklers who started shouting. The police had to intervene, with "Pax Europa" stating on their website that they could no longer ensure safety.
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Stuerzenberger had also been mentioned in Germany's Constitutional Protection Report for nine years as someone with Islamophobic views.
