The German city of Mannheim plans to commemorate slain police officer Rouven Laur on Saturday in the market square where he was killed in a knife attack one year ago.
As part of the event in the city in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg, there is expected to be an interfaith peace prayer, and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is expected to attend.
Together with Dobrindt, Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl and Mannheim Mayor Christian Specht plan to unveil a memorial plaque providing information about the events of May 31, 2024.
A floor slab commemorating the 29-year-old police officer is also due to be presented.
“We pause to remember an exemplary and courageous police officer who lost his life in the service of our society,” Specht said in remarks released before Saturday’s anniversary.
“The market square, the scene of the crime, will become a place of silent remembrance – embedded in the heart of our city,” Specht
added.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is convinced that the now 26-year-old suspected Islamist perpetrator identified as Sulaiman A injured six people with a knife in the attack in Mannheim, namely five participants in a rally organized by the anti-Islam Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE) and Laur.
The police officer succumbed to his serious injuries two days later.
The trial of the alleged Islamist, who is charged with murder and attempted murder, has been taking place at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court since February.