2024 Mannheim stabbing

2024 Mannheim stabbing
Location49°29′23″N 8°28′02″E / 49.4898°N 8.4672°E / 49.4898; 8.4672
Mannheim, Germany
Date31 May 2024 (2024-05-31)
11:34 a.m. (CEST; UTC+02:00)
TargetMichael Stürzenberger
Attack type
Mass stabbing
WeaponsPython hunting knife
Switchblade (unused)
Slingshot (unused)
Deaths1 (police officer)
Injured6 (including the perpetrator)
VictimRouven Laur
PerpetratorSulaiman Ataee
VerdictGuilty
ConvictionsMurder
Attempted murder x4
Dangerous bodily harm x1
JudgeHerbert Anderer

On 31 May 2024 at 11:34 a.m., a mass stabbing took place at a rally hosted by the counter-jihad and Islam critic group, Citizens' Movement Pax Europa (BPE) in the market square in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Six people were injured, including controversial activist Michael Stürzenberger, the main speaker at the rally, who was the intended target of the attack. Police officer Rouven Laur, assigned as security for the event, died from stab wounds to the neck two days later. The attack was stopped when the attacker, 25-year-old Afghan national Sulaiman Ataee, was shot and injured by another police officer.

The investigation determined that the stabbing was carried out with Islamist motives, which were affirmed by the perpetrator. Ataee issued a confession in court that he carried out the attack to kill critics of Islam and "supposed infidels". On 16 September 2025, Ataee was convicted of murder and dangerous bodily harm, and sentenced to life imprisonment.