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Linke Activist Struck in Berlin Park as State Investigates Possible Political Motive

Police say the probe by the Landeskriminalamt’s Staatsschutz reflects concern that the assault is part of a pattern of targeted attacks on a young local activist.

Overview

  • A 19-year-old member of Die Linke, Lasko Schleunung, was hit on the back of the head with a glass bottle while walking through Nibelungenpark on Wednesday night and was taken to hospital with head injuries.
  • The Landeskriminalamt’s Staatsschutz, the unit for politically motivated crimes, has taken over the case on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm and is treating the attack as potentially political.
  • Schleunung told party officials he is receiving hospital treatment but said, “I am in hospital, but I am not broken,” and pledged to continue his local political and civic work.
  • The July attack follows a series of incidents against Schleunung, including being spat at in March 2025, a May 2025 blow to the head that caused a concussion, and an anonymous death-threat letter; no suspect has been publicly identified for the new assault.
  • Die Linke leaders demanded a rapid clarification from police and warned the incident could reflect rising right-wing threats to activists, a concern that may affect safety measures for campaign volunteers and local political events.