Sunday 19th December 2021
Stop at Breitscheidplatz
Steinmeier admits errors made by the authorities
Five years ago, the Islamist Anis Amri rushed into the Berlin Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz with a truck. The attack cost the lives of 13 people. On the anniversary of the terror, Federal President Steinmeier reminds of the mistakes made by the state, which was unable to prevent the attack.
In the evening, politicians and relatives of victims held a memorial service to commemorate the Islamist terrorist attack on the Berlin Christmas market at the Memorial Church five years ago. At the location of the attack on Breitscheidplatz, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier admitted that the state had made mistakes. “The state has not been able to keep its promise of protection, security and freedom,” said Steinmeier. The state “has a duty to correct the mistakes, failures and problems that contributed to this attack not being prevented,” he said.
The attack plunged the bereaved into pain and grief. “The crack of December 19, 2016 divides your life into a before and an after,” said Steinmeier. The attack “was aimed at our way of life: in peace, freedom and democracy”. You shouldn’t let this be taken from you. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized in the run-up to the event: “The state must be able to defend itself and protect its citizens.”
On December 19, 2016, the Islamist terrorist Anis Amri drove into the Christmas market in a hijacked truck. As a result, 13 people died and dozen were injured. The assassin fled to Italy, where he was shot by the police.
Attack victims demand comprehensive clarification
Among the participants in the prayer were Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller and his designated successor Franziska Giffey. After the service, a silent commemoration of the memorial on the steps behind the church is planned. There were numerous wreaths and flowers there in the evening.
On the steps were photos of the dead and lit candles. The name of the 13th victim – a helper who died in October of this year as a result of the long-term effects of his injuries – was also written on the steps. At 8:02 p.m., the time of the attack, 13 chimes reminded of the dead.
Victims of the terrorist attack had expressed dissatisfaction in an open letter to the federal government before the fifth anniversary. They demanded a dignified treatment of those affected and the full investigation of the crime. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser agreed to do so. “As far as there are still unanswered questions, we will look for answers,” said the SPD politician. “Nothing is swept under the carpet. We owe that to the victims and the bereaved.”
Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann promised the victims more support. “Those affected can be certain that we will be there for them,” assured the FDP politician. He supported the plan of the Ampel coalition to declare March 11 a national day of remembrance for the victims of terrorist violence.