German court tries Syrian man for fatal knife attack claimed by ISIS
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A German court began on Tuesday the trial of a Syrian national accused of carrying out a knife attack in Solingen that left three people dead—a crime later claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS).
The defendant, 27-year-old Issa al-Hassan, confessed to the killings on the first day of the trial. Dressed in a blue suit, he kept his head bowed for most of the session.
The Solingen attack, which occurred in August 2024, provoked public outrage and intensified calls for stricter measures against foreign nationals involved in violent crimes, particularly in the lead-up to Germany’s February elections.
In a statement read by his lawyer, al-Hassan said, “I have brought heavy guilt upon myself,” and offered an apology to the victims’ families, expressing his willingness to accept punishment.
The court has yet to examine allegations that the attack was coordinated with ISIS. If convicted, al-Hassan faces a possible life sentence.