Berlin LGBTQ affairs commissioner Alfonso Pantisano said a deadly vehicle attack at the city's Christopher Street Day Pride celebration should not be used to blame immigrants, warning that doing so would ignore what he called persistent anti-LGBTQ sentiment within Germany.
Speaking to Democracy Now! following Saturday's attack, Pantisano admitted authorities had identified the suspect as Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent who officials say attempted to join the Islamic State in 2025 and was released from prison in May after serving time for preparing an attack. He said investigators are still working to determine how the suspect was able to drive a minivan into the parade area.
"Well, the police in Berlin is doing, as I always say, an incredible job in trying to secure every big event in this city," Pantisano said. "But at the end, there is no such thing as a 100% security."
Pantisano said he did not want to speculate on the ongoing investigation, saying authorities would have to determine how the attack unfolded and whether there were security failures.
Addressing concerns that the attack could fuel anti-immigration rhetoric, Pantisano said Germany faces a threat from Islamist extremism but argued that politicians should not overlook anti-LGBTQ discrimination more broadly.
"The far right here in Germany is, of course, waiting for an attack like this one to use it in order to highlight that the foreigners are the problem," he said. "By doing so, they completely forget and avoid to look at how much queerphobia there is in this country in all various levels of structures."
Pantisano also criticized political leaders, arguing that rhetoric from mainstream parties has contributed to hostility toward LGBTQ people. He specifically referenced comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the display of the rainbow flag over the Reichstag, saying such remarks contribute to insecurity within the LGBTQ community.
The attack killed one woman and injured 29 others before police fatally shot the suspect during an operation Sunday.
Speaking to Democracy Now! following Saturday's attack, Pantisano admitted authorities had identified the suspect as Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent who officials say attempted to join the Islamic State in 2025 and was released from prison in May after serving time for preparing an attack. He said investigators are still working to determine how the suspect was able to drive a minivan into the parade area.
"Well, the police in Berlin is doing, as I always say, an incredible job in trying to secure every big event in this city," Pantisano said. "But at the end, there is no such thing as a 100% security."
Pantisano said he did not want to speculate on the ongoing investigation, saying authorities would have to determine how the attack unfolded and whether there were security failures.
Addressing concerns that the attack could fuel anti-immigration rhetoric, Pantisano said Germany faces a threat from Islamist extremism but argued that politicians should not overlook anti-LGBTQ discrimination more broadly.
"The far right here in Germany is, of course, waiting for an attack like this one to use it in order to highlight that the foreigners are the problem," he said. "By doing so, they completely forget and avoid to look at how much queerphobia there is in this country in all various levels of structures."
Pantisano also criticized political leaders, arguing that rhetoric from mainstream parties has contributed to hostility toward LGBTQ people. He specifically referenced comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the display of the rainbow flag over the Reichstag, saying such remarks contribute to insecurity within the LGBTQ community.
The attack killed one woman and injured 29 others before police fatally shot the suspect during an operation Sunday.
