German mayor who wants to accommodate refugees beaten up in suspected xenophobic attack
Mayor previously received several death and bomb threats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A German mayor who wanted to accommodate refugees has reportedly been assaulted in a suspected xenophobic attack.
Joachim Kebschull, 61, mayor of Oersdorf, was struck on the back of the head with a club or wooden beam on his way to a town hall meeting.
Mr Kebschull lost consciousness and was taken to hospital, German newspaper Bild reports.
The perpetrator fled after the attack and is yet to be identified. Police have determined that the crime was politically motivated.
Earlier in the day, the Oersdorf mayor received a threatening letter reading: "He who will not hear must feel."
The mayor has received several death threats and town hall has had to cancel two meetings on whether to allow refugees to move into local housing because of bomb threats.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently admitted she lost control of the refugee crisis in Germany.
Ms Merkel said if she cold she would "turn back time by many, many years" to prepare the nation for the influx of refugees.
"For some time, we didn't have enough control," the chancellor said. "No one wants a repeat of last year's situation, including me."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments