Father of Brokstedt victim slams political inaction after fatal knife attack on student in Trier

After the fatal knife attack on a student in Trier, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) expressed his condolences by phone. Michael Kyrath, whose daughter was killed in a similar attack in Brokstedt, has sharply criticized politicians for failing to act.

Father Speaks Out on Repeated Failures

The father of Ann-Marie Kyrath, who was killed in 2023 in a knife attack on a regional train near Brokstedt, accused political leaders of failing to draw sufficient consequences from comparable acts of violence.

"It's always the same perpetrator profile – and in the end, the same platitudes from responsible politicians. Everyone says: 'It's unbelievable,' but no one acts," Michael Kyrath told the Bild newspaper regarding the death of a 22-year-old student in Trier.

Details of the Trier Attack

The student was attacked and killed on the street by a 22-year-old Afghan with a knife. A motive is not yet known. The case has once again intensified the debate over knife violence and internal security in Germany.

Political Reactions

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) reaffirmed after the fatal attack his intention to continue deporting criminals to Afghanistan.

"I still consider this a necessary measure and will not let up in pushing for these deportations to countries like Afghanistan," the CSU politician told journalists. "Society simply has a right to have criminals removed from the country."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called the family of the killed student. Kyrath commented on this Tuesday on WELT TV:

"Oh, I received this gesture from many politicians in Berlin as well. And in the end, nothing happened at all."

Kyrath's Personal Loss

Kyrath's 17-year-old daughter Ann-Marie and her 19-year-old friend Danny P. were killed in January 2023 on a regional train in Brokstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, by a stateless asylum seeker.

Speaking to Bild about the Trier attack, Kyrath said: "That's what happened to my daughter Ann-Marie and her friend Danny too. These are not isolated cases."

Call for Action

Kyrath stated that Germany has laws that can protect children, but these must be applied consistently. "The state must restore safety in the country."

According to his own statements, he is now in contact with more than 450 pairs of parents who have lost a child to a similar act in the past ten years.

Police Union Warns of Rising Violence

The head of the federal police union DPolG, Manuel Ostermann, also spoke to Bild of an urgent need for action. In Germany, there are now up to 80 knife attacks per day.

Ostermann called for, among other things, stricter measures against individuals who are legally required to leave the country. Additionally, security authorities must be informed if someone becomes known as psychologically dangerous.

Regional Response

Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Gordon Schnieder (CDU) called the attack in Trier "horrific." His sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the victim. He offered personal support to the parents.

ll with dpa