Mannheim commemorates police officers Rouven Laur: one year after the tragedy

Mannheim commemorates police officers Rouven Laur: one year after the tragedy

Mannheimer Marktplatz, 68161 Mannheim, Deutschland - Today, on May 31, 2025, the city of Mannheim of the police officer Rouven Laur, who was fatally injured a year ago in a knife attack on the Mannheim market square. In a moving commemoration, citizens, as well as high -ranking representatives from politics, should come together in order to set a sign of peace and cohesion. The incident, which took place on May 31, 2024, led Laur to fight for his life for two days after an assumed attack by an Islamist before he died.

At the memorial event, which begins at 3 p.m., Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt and Mannheim Mayor Christian Specht are expected. Steinmeier had already reminded Laur in the run -up to the event and laid down flowers at the scene of the crime. In a social media post, he expressed his sympathy for relatives and colleagues.

Details on the memorial event

The event not only includes speeches from prominent politicians, but also musical performances by the state police orchestra. Part of the commemoration is an interreligious prayer of peace of the Forum of the religions Mannheim, which symbolizes the unity of the different beliefs. In addition, a memory board is unveiled and a base plate made of basalt with three stainless steel stars near the crime scene is embedded.

The marketplace, which was renamed "Rouven-Laur-Platz" after the incident, will be briefly closed on the event of the event on the event of the event for the weekly market, which ends at 1 p.m. In order to secure the action, numerous security forces are on site. During this time, the trams that serve the marketplace will not drive.

The background of the attack

The alleged perpetrator, a 26-year-old Islamist named Sulaiman A., has been charged with murder and multiple attempts since February in Stuttgart-Stammheim. He is said to have injured six people with a knife, including five participants in an Islam -critical rally and Rouven Laur.

The case also triggered a broader social context that deals with topics such as police violence and the security of civil servants. In Germany, especially after the fatal incident in the United States with George Floyd, the topic of police violence is increasingly focusing on the public debate. Studies show that police violence often occurs at major events, but can also occur outside of it in general conflict situations or personal controls. Police officers often hesitate to apply proportionate violence, which leads to an increased tension level in such situations.

The tragic events related to Rouven Laur not only raise questions about security and preventive work by the police, but also to the need for reforming police training and the sensitization of violence in service.

The commemoration today should not only be dedicated to the memory of Rouven Laur, but also act as a call to society, to stand up for peace, respect and cohesion. The place where Laur lost his life is now a symbol of this engagement.

For more information on the background and the commemoration, please visit: Mannheim24 or Deutschlandfunk .