Attempted homicide charges have been added to the alleged attacker of a Frankfurt rabbi.
The state prosecutor in Frankfurt am Main filed the new charges Thursday against a 22-year-old man of Afghani descent, who was arrested Sept. 13 after admitting he stabbed Rabbi Zalman Gurevitch in the stomach on Sept. 7. The alleged assailant is in custody awaiting trial.
The news comes amid heightened concern about threats against Jewish institutions in Germany. Jewish cultural and religious institutions have increased security measures in recent days.
Gurevitch, 42, was on his way home from Sabbath services when he was attacked. The assailant reportedly shouted, “S–- Jew, I will kill you.” Investigators tracked down the perpetrator through a detailed description of the incident posted on the Internet.
The man had denied he wanted to kill Gurevitch and said he was not driven by anti-Semitism. He added that he had felt threatened by the rabbi and acted in self-defense, but the court did not accept his claim.
The alleged attacker also was charged with causing life-threatening injury and threatening bodily harm. Gurevitch remained in the hospital for several days after an emergency operation, but reportedly he was in no danger of losing his life.
