German authorities are conducting investigations into possible foreign influence related to several violent incidents that have occurred in close proximity to elections.

A spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed that inquiries are examining signs of directed influence from outside the country, especially in the lead-up to significant electoral events.

The investigations have gained momentum following a string of violent attacks over the past year.

Notable incidents include:


Mannheim Incident: On May 31, 2024, a police officer was killed in a stabbing attack while providing security at an event featuring an Islam-critical speaker, just before the European elections.

The attacker, a 25-year-old Afghan refugee, has since been apprehended.

He was previously considered an unremarkable member of society, married with two children.

Leipzig Airport Cargo Fire: In July 2024, a fire broke out at the DHL center in Leipzig, reportedly involving flammable magnesium.

This incident occurred shortly before state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg.

Investigations have been initiated by the Federal Prosecutor's Office based on suspicions of attempted severe arson, with hypotheses suggesting possible connections to Russia.

Aschaffenburg Stabbing: On January 22, 2025, a stabbing targeting a kindergarten group resulted in the deaths of a two-year-old child and a bystander, occurring shortly before the upcoming Bundestag elections.

The identified suspect is an Afghan refugee who was allegedly under an order to leave Germany.

Munich Incident: On February 13, 2025, an individual drove a vehicle into a crowd in Munich, causing the deaths of a mother and her two-year-old child, and injuring approximately thirty others.

The driver, another Afghan refugee, had a background as a department store detective and fitness influencer, and reportedly expressed concerns about potential mortality in conversations with family shortly before the incident.

Investigators from the Federal Ministry of the Interior are closely scrutinizing the potential for foreign financing or coordination behind these violent events.

While no definitive evidence of organized foreign involvement has emerged, investigations into each incident are ongoing.

Preliminary reports have indicated suspicious online searches from Russia prior to some attacks, alongside potential correlations with the timing of elections.

The relationship between the Mannheim stabbing and the approaching elections in late May, along with the Leipzig fire occurring prior to regional elections, are key aspects of the current inquiry.

Dirk Wiese, a German lawmaker specializing in internal affairs for the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has noted the notable clustering of attacks before elections and emphasized that the possibility of Russian involvement should not be overlooked, urging thorough investigations into all potential leads, particularly given emerging digital evidence hinting at connections to Russia preceding the incidents.