One day after the attack on a synagogue in Halle with two dead, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) spoke in person about the crime. "Like millions of people in Germany, I am shocked and depressed by the crime that was committed yesterday in Halle," says the CDU politician at the IG Metall trade union day in Nuremberg. She grieves with the families and friends of the murdered.
"We barely escaped a terrible attack on the people in the synagogue, and there could have been many more victims," Merkel continued. It should be done by all means of the rule of law against hatred, violence and enmity. "And there is no tolerance."
Earlier, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had called for solidarity with the Jewish population. "This day is a day of shame and shame," Steinmeier said during his visit to the scene. To condemn such a "cowardly attack" is not enough. The country must take responsibility and show a clear attitude.
A right-wing extremist tried to invade a synagogue in Halle on Wednesday. His attempt failed, after which he shot dead two people in front of the synagogue and then in a nearby snack and injured at least two others. The perpetrator was arrested and identified as Stephan Balliet. (Read more about the current developments here in the news blog.)
Video from Halle: "Like a ghost town"
MIRROR ONLINE
The victims are according to information from the German Press Agency to a 40-year-old woman from Halle and a 20-year-old man from Merseburg.
The apartment of the suspect was searched and evidence has been secured, said a spokesman for the Federal Prosecutor. It will be checked if there have been accomplices.
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