Attaque au couteau par l'extrême droite: pas la première fois

A 17-year-old boy accused of stabbing an anti-fascist activist in Göttingen has a known history with police, according to reports. The incident occurred during the early hours of June 21, when Max D., who is active in right-wing circles, allegedly attacked Lars E., a student and anti-fascist activist, near his home in the affluent eastern district of Göttingen. Lars E. suffered severe injuries, including a cut artery near his heart and damage to his lung, requiring multiple surgeries and a period of artificial coma. He was released from hospital last Thursday after recovering from the attack. The attack took place on a street near the Fridtjof-Nansen-Weg, where Lars E. and his friend Martin K. had planned to confront Max D. and another right-wing youth. They intended to approach them after a football match between Germany and Ivory Coast, aiming to deliver a verbal warning. According to their account, they noticed Max D. and his companion running away before the confrontation escalated. Max D. turned around suddenly and ran back toward Lars E., attacking him with a knife. Martin K. described how the group reacted immediately after the attack. One person pressed firmly on Lars E.'s bleeding wound, another held up his legs, while a third called for emergency services. Police arrived quickly at the scene. Despite the severity of the injury, the police did not arrest Max D. immediately, citing the possibility of self-defense. A fellow youth who accompanied Max D. later posted online supporting this claim. Max D. has been linked to right-wing activities and is part of a group known for practicing martial arts. His involvement in such groups has raised concerns among local activists. Prior to the attack, he had verbally threatened other young people at the Göttingen youth center “Juzi” earlier in 2024. Just before the incident, he reportedly attacked left-wing activists in the pedestrian zone. Lars E. survived the attack but required extensive medical treatment. He spent three days in a coma, and there were initial doubts about his survival. Now recovering, he continues to work on regaining his strength each day. He declined to speak to police without legal representation shortly after waking from his coma, though he has since given statements along with a witness and first responder. The prosecution is considering whether Max D. acted in self-defense. This could influence the outcome of the case, as it would determine whether the act constitutes an intentional attack or a defensive response. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between far-right and left-wing groups in Göttingen, a city historically associated with leftist activism. Local activists have expressed concern over the lack of reliable structures within the anti-fascist movement following recent incidents. They argue that the attack serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen organized resistance against extremist elements. Meanwhile, the community awaits further developments in the investigation into the incident.