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Friedrich Merz addresses Libori-Mahl in Paderborn following Berlin terror attack
A suspected Islamist terrorist attack in Berlin at night killed one person and injured 16 others. Police are searching for 21‑year‑old Abdul Ballout, a man of Lebanese origin thought to have links to Islamist circles, while an Iranian suspect believed to have been his co‑driver has been arrested. Federal Justice Minister Stephanie Homburg announced that federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation and praised the rapid response of emergency services, which prevented the situation from worsening.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Paderborn the next day to speak at the traditional Libori‑Mahl. In his speech he urged citizens not to be intimidated, saying “violence begins with intolerance, exclusion and discrimination,” and thanked the first‑responders for their “quick and exemplary” actions. He reaffirmed that extremists have no place in German society and called for unity and the defence of freedom.
Entities
Abdul Ballout · Berlin · Friedrich Merz · Libori‑Mahl · Paderborn · Saint Liborius · Stephanie Homburg
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack was ‘a very sad case’ and that extremists have no place in German society. orainfo.net · gazeta10.com · athina984.gr · www.sigmalive.com · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] All injured persons are currently not in life‑threatening condition. athina984.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Police are searching for 21‑year‑old Abdul Ballout, a man of Lebanese origin suspected of links to Islamist circles. orainfo.net · gazeta10.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Federal Justice Minister Stephanie Homburg announced that federal prosecutors are taking over the investigation. athina984.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] An Iranian suspect, possibly the co‑driver of Abdul Ballout, has been arrested. athina984.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Emergency services responded quickly and prevented the situation from becoming worse. orainfo.net · gazeta10.com · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · athina984.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] A night‑time terrorist attack in Berlin killed one person and injured 16. orainfo.net · gazeta10.com · athina984.gr · www.sigmalive.com · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Friedrich Merz delivered a speech at the traditional Libori‑Mahl in Paderborn, urging society not to be intimidated and saying violence begins with intolerance. www.ruhrnachrichten.de · orainfo.net · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.wz.de