EU admits Germany shooting linked to migrant crisis

(Baonghean.vn) - An EU official admitted on July 26 that the shooting at the Olympia shopping center in Munich, Germany that killed 9 people on July 22 was related to the refugee crisis.

European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the Munich shooting was linked to the refugee crisis. Photo: EC.

The attacker, 18-year-old Iranian-German Ali Sonboly, was shot dead after opening fire on passersby on a street near a McDonald's in Munich, before running into the nearby Olympia shopping centre.

Nine people were shot dead, including children and teenagers. Twenty people were injured, three in critical condition.

European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the continent would “defend itself against attacks following the killings”.

“Europe’s doors are open to those fleeing war and seeking asylum here, but we will defend ourselves against attacks against our way of life,” he said.

“We will tighten border controls, make it more difficult to buy weapons. Besides, we will strengthen the cooperation of security and intelligence services.”

The comments come after a police chief said the attacks in Germany were not linked to the refugee issue.

In fact, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said, the parents of many of the killers were refugees who moved to Germany in the 1990s.

Mr de Maiziere said that Germany needed to tighten gun laws after the recent incidents. “We have to evaluate very carefully and change the law is necessary,” he said.

Dawn

(According to Express)