BERLIN, Sept 16 (Reuters) – The German government proposed new measures to prevent militant violence, including tougher penalties for knife attacks and propaganda, after a man who pledged allegiance to Islamic State attacked a Pride celebration in Berlin this summer.
Here are more details from Wednesday’s proposals by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig:
• The use of electronic-ankle monitors will be expanded, restricting the movement of high-risk suspects.
• Knife attacks will be classified as felonies with a minimum prison sentence of one year.
• Germany’s 16 state governments will be granted additional authority to store communications data as part of preventive security measures.
• Hubig also said that authorities aim to clarify when suspended sentences are appropriate. “If the consequences of a potential offense – or even a previous offense – could be tremendous for the public, then this must be explicitly taken into account,” she said.
• In July, a 21-year-old man attacked Berlin’s Pride celebration, killing one woman and injuring dozens, according to investigators.
• The German citizen, who in May was convicted and sentenced to jail time for preparing an attack, had been freed under supervision.
(Reporting by Cian Muenster, editing by Thomas Seythal)
Comments