Federal prosecutor indicts IS fighter for knife attack in Bielefeld

An indictment has been filed against a man accused of a knife attack that critically injured four people outside a bar in Bielefeld. The federal prosecutor's office charges Mahmoud M., 35, with attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, and membership in the Islamic State (IS) terror organization. He allegedly attacked celebrating patrons on May 18, 2025. The Syrian national, who reportedly fought for IS until 2016 and maintained ties after arriving in Germany in 2023, is accused of intending to kill people in a "holy war."