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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Associated Press

German police say a 26-year-old man has turned himself in, claiming to be Solingen knife attacker

German festival stabbing: Police make second arrest as Islamic State claims responsibility for attack

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German police have arrested a man suspected of carrying out the Solingen knife attack that left three people dead and eight injured.

The suspect is a Syrian man, 26, who turned himself in and admitted to the crime, Duesseldorf police and prosecutors said in a joint statement early on Sunday.

He is reportedly affiliated with a home for refugees in Solingen that was searched on Saturday.

“The involvement of this person is currently under intensive investigation,” police said.

The attack, for which the Islamic State group claimed responsibility, took place on Friday evening at a festival to celebrate the city’s 650th anniversary. A woman, 56, and two men, aged 56 and 67, were killed.

Der Spiegel, citing unidentified security sources, said the suspect’s clothes were smeared with blood.

Police declined immediate comment on the newspaper’s report.

Hendrik Wuest, premier of the North Rhine-Westphalia state, described the attack as an act of terror.

Markus Caspers, a counterterrorism officer, said the possibility of a terrorism motive “cannot be ruled out”.

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