MURNAU, Germany – Two Ukrainian men were fatally stabbed on Saturday evening in a shopping center in Murnau, a village in southern Germany. A Russian man has been arrested as a suspect, with authorities investigating the motive behind the attack.
The victims, aged 23 and 36, were residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a district close to Murnau. According to the German news agency DPA, they were killed within the shopping center premises. Shortly after the incident, police apprehended a 57-year-old Russian man on suspicion of murder.
Following German privacy laws, the identities of both the victims and the suspect haven’t been disclosed. Investigators are yet to determine a clear motive for the stabbings and whether the three men were acquainted.
This incident comes amidst heightened tensions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, over a million Ukrainians have sought refuge in Germany.
The country also has a sizeable Russian population, including both recent immigrants and those of German descent who arrived after the Soviet Union’s collapse in the early 1990s.
While authorities haven’t ruled out a potential political connection, the investigation remains in its initial stages. The public prosecutor’s office in Munich has assumed control of the case due to the possibility of a politically motivated crime.
Additionally, the Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism is involved in the investigation.
“The motive for the crime is currently still unclear,” a local police spokesperson, Stefan Sonntag, told dpa. He further added that initial investigations suggest the three men might have known each other, but this information requires verification.
This violent act has shaken the local community, particularly among Ukrainians residing in Germany. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that the victims were military personnel undergoing medical rehabilitation in the country.
The Ministry has requested its diplomats to closely monitor the investigation and ensure the suspect faces the full legal consequences.
Germany has emerged as a significant destination for Ukrainians displaced by the war. The nation has implemented policies to streamline the arrival and integration of refugees, offering them temporary residence permits, access to healthcare, and opportunities for employment.
This unfortunate incident highlights the potential for tensions to arise amidst the ongoing conflict. Law enforcement agencies are likely to be vigilant in monitoring any potential threats targeting Ukrainian communities within Germany.
The investigation into the stabbings is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as authorities gather more information.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
