Suspect in Ulm Media Markt Stabbing Has History of Criminal Offenses and Revoked Refugee Status

A stabbing incident at a Media Markt store in Ulm has led to the arrest of a 29-year-old man originally from Eritrea, who is now facing pre-trial detention on charges of attempted murder. The public prosecutor's office obtained approval for his detention from the relevant judge following the incident. The suspect came to Germany in 2017 and had been granted refugee status, which was revoked in 2023. In January 2024, the government in Tübingen initiated proceedings to expel him from the country.

The accused has an extensive criminal record in Bavaria, including multiple convictions for bodily harm and assaults against law enforcement officers. He was sentenced to a prison term starting in 2020, serving four years, and is expected to serve an additional prison term from July to December 2025. Currently, the suspect is deemed unfit for interrogation by the police, which has delayed further investigative questioning.

This development highlights concerns in Germany regarding the handling of individuals with revoked refugee status who continue to pose security risks due to criminal activity. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing, while the suspect remains in custody pending legal proceedings.