German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said the right to live freely must be defended after a deadly attack near Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade that left one woman dead and 16 others injured. Police are searching for a 21-year-old suspect reportedly known for Islamist leanings. SPD co-leader Bärbel Bas expressed deep shock, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the incident as an attack on open society and the values of tolerance and diversity.
German Vice-Chancellor: Freedom To Live Must Be Defended After Deadly Attack On Berlin Pride
FILE PHOTO - German Minister of Finance and Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Federal Chairman Lars Klingbeil speaks in an interview with journalists from the German Press Agency (dpa) at the SPD party headquarters in the Willy Brandt House. (is associated with: «German vice chancellor: Right to live freely must be defended») Kay Nietfeld/dpa
German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that the right to "live freely" must be defended after a deadly attack near Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade.
The assault, which occurred on Saturday evening near Tiergarten, left one woman dead and 16 people injured. Police are searching for a 21-year-old suspect who is reported to be known to authorities for Islamist leanings.
"CSD stands for the right of every person to live freely. We will defend that," Klingbeil said, underlining the government's intent to protect civil liberties and public safety.
Political and Public Reactions
SPD co-leader Bärbel Bas said she was "deeply shocked by the horrific attack," expressing solidarity with victims and the wider LGBTQ+ community. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also strongly condemned the incident, calling it "an attack on our open society, on our way of life and on our ability to live together."
Steinmeier, speaking in Hamm while attending a Hindu community temple festival, noted that "hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world had come together to celebrate peacefully and joyfully, to send a message of tolerance and diversity, and to stand up for a self-determined life based on equality."
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue their search for the suspect and are investigating the motive. Officials have appealed for witnesses and any available footage from the area to assist the inquiry. Security measures at large public gatherings are expected to be reviewed in the coming days.
The attack has prompted renewed public debate in Germany about safety at public events, the protection of minority communities and efforts to counter violent extremism.
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