# German right-wing AfD politician stabbed, injured by crazed man in Mannheim

By Jessica Barshis · Published 2024-06-06 · News & Analysis › World · https://humanevents.com/news/german-right-wing-afd-politician-stabbed-injured-by-crazed-man-in-mannheim

A [German](http://humanevents.com/2024/05/24/german-police-investigate-nightclub-hit-foreigners-out-over-anti-migrant-bias) right-wing politician, part of the Alternative for [Germany](https://humanevents.com/2024/05/10/climate-rioters-storm-tesla-plant-in-germany-clash-with-police) (AfD) party, was stabbed and wounded in Mannheim on Tuesday evening according to local police, just 5 days after an [Afghan immigrant went on a stabbing spree](https://humanevents.com/2024/06/03/1-officer-dead-multiple-injured-after-afghan-immigrant-goes-on-stabbing-spree-at-anti-islam-event-in-germany) in the same location, killing 1 police officer.

62-year-old Heinrich Koch, identified by AfD, attempted to chase down a man tearing down election posters, per [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c877vynl2zgo). The man then cut the politician with a knife, in an attack that was caught on camera. Police confirmed Koch was transported to a hospital but did not receive life-threatening injuries. Koch is an AfD candidate in the municipal election in Mannheim taking place this upcoming weekend.

Local police said they arrested a 25-year-old suspect who was taken to a psychiatric hospital after showing signs of mental illness. They reported that they have not found any evidence the attacker knew who the victim was or his affiliation with AfD, despite the attacker visibly removing campaign posters.

Last Friday, people at an anti-Islam event in Mannheim were attacked by an Afghan immigrant wielding a knife. After police intervened, the attacker began stabbing an officer who succumbed to his injuries on Monday. 5 others were wounded including 59-year-old Michael Stürzenberger, an anti-Islam activist who was slated to speak at the event, organized by Citizens Movement Pax Europa.