Bavarian Minister Rebukes AfD’s Speculations on Munich Attack Fatality
Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s Interior Minister, has vehemently condemned the AfD’s dissemination of baseless speculation regarding the time of death for victims of the Munich car attack. Addressing the state parliament in Munich, Herrmann denounced the allegations as "unbelievable and intolerable."
Herrmann pointedly remarked, "When one is so intellectually aligned with Mr. Putin and others, such fabrications may readily enter their thoughts." Representatives from other parliamentary groups accused AfD politicians of callously exploiting the suffering of the victims for partisan gain.
Last Thursday, a 24-year-old Afghan man plowed his car into a crowd in central Munich. A mother and her two-year-old daughter succumbed to their injuries two days later, while 37 more individuals sustained various degrees of harm. The suspect remains in custody.
Herrmann disclosed that the AfD had sent parliamentary inquiries requesting information on the victims’ time of death. Additionally, he reported that "unbearable" speculation had been circulating on social media since the weekend, alleging that the state government had instigated a days-long delay in announcing the fatalities. Martin Sichert, an AfD member of the Bundestag, had posted on Twitter, "Apparently, the victims in Munich died days ago, but the public was not to be informed of it."
In response, Herrmann provided the precise time of the official determination of death for the mother and daughter – Saturday afternoon and Saturday noon, respectively. "It’s distressing enough that we must even discuss such matters," Herrmann remarked. He emphasized that the AfD was fully aware that such decisions fall within the purview of medical professionals. "For instance, whether or not life support is to be discontinued is a matter determined, as you very well know, not by politicians, but by doctors and family members," he stated. "To perpetuate such unfounded conjecture is utterly intolerable and disrespectful."
Herrmann also expressed outrage over AfD claims that the state government had concealed information about the victims’ nationalities. "This is a low and vile accusation," he declared. He clarified that, in accordance with legal provisions, victim identification had been authorized by the public prosecutor’s office. "To insinuate any wrongdoing is a disgrace," he asserted.
Herrmann stressed that the focus should remain on the victims and their families, offering condolences and support from the Bavarian government. He urged citizens to reject the AfD’s divisive tactics and stand united against hatred and violence.
