A 61-year-old man who operated an asylum shelter in Sarstedt, Lower Saxony, was fatally stabbed on Monday. The suspect, a 35-year-old Iraqi resident of the shelter, was apprehended after an extensive manhunt.
The tragic event unfolded in Sarstedt, a town south of Hanover, where a dispute on the street escalated into a deadly knife attack. According to the police and public prosecutor’s office in Hildesheim, the victim was the operator of a hotel that served as an asylum accommodation. The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old Iraqi man, was a resident of the same facility.
Following the attack on Monday, the suspect fled the scene, prompting a large-scale search operation. After several hours, special police forces successfully apprehended the man on a sprawling company premises in Sarstedt on Monday evening. The authorities announced that the suspect was scheduled to appear before a judge on Tuesday for a custody hearing.
Investigation and evidence
While the motive for the attack remains unclear, investigators are actively pursuing leads to understand the circumstances that led to this violent incident. The police and prosecutor’s office stated that their enquiries are ongoing.
The breakthrough in locating the fugitive came from a combination of witness statements and analysis of surveillance camera footage. Law enforcement officials also discovered a knife near the crime scene, which is currently being examined to determine if it was the weapon used in the attack.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to this tragic loss of life at the asylum accommodation. The case has raised concerns about safety and security in such facilities, highlighting the challenges faced by both residents and operators of asylum shelters.
