Key facts
- Germany proposed new security measures after a man pledged allegiance to Islamic State and attacked a Pride celebration in Berlin.
- Knife attacks will be classified as felonies with a minimum prison sentence of one year.
- Electronic ankle monitors will be expanded for high-risk suspects.
- State governments will gain more authority to store communications data for security.
- A 21-year-old German citizen attacked Berlin's Pride celebration in July, killing one woman and injuring dozens.
- The attacker had been freed under supervision after being convicted for preparing an attack.
The German government has proposed new security measures aimed at preventing militant violence, including tougher penalties for knife attacks and expanded use of electronic monitoring for high-risk suspects. The proposals come after a man, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, attacked Berlin's Pride celebration in July, killing one woman and injuring dozens.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig stated that authorities aim to clarify when suspended sentences are appropriate, emphasizing that "If the consequences of a potential offense – or even a previous offense – could be tremendous for the public, then this must be explicitly taken into account."
The 21-year-old attacker, a German citizen, had previously been convicted and sentenced to jail time for preparing an attack in May but was freed under supervision.