17-year-old Ukrainian basketball player Vladyslav Yermakov was fatally stabbed on the streets of Düsseldorf, Germany.
His friend, Ukrainian player Artem Kozachenko, is in intensive care, according to a post on the Ukrainian Basketball Federation’s Facebook page early Monday.
According to the report, the players were attacked with knives “simply because they were Ukrainian” a few days ago in Düsseldorf, where the young men had arrived to participate in a competition.
Yermakov and Kozachenko played for the ART Giants youth team (under 19) in the Düsseldorf club.
Local police are investigating the case, with witnesses present at the crime scene.
According to the federation, the deceased Yermakov played basketball for the youth teams “Typhaz” and “5T.E.A.M.-DYUSSH-12”. As a member of the Ukrainian youth team (under 16), he participated in the 2022 European Championship in Bulgaria.
Germany has been actively working to prevent terrorism and ensure the safety of its citizens. Since the tragic terrorist attack at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz Christmas market in 2016, German authorities have successfully prevented nine similar attacks. This includes thwarting two terror-related incidents in just one month, showcasing the vigilance and effectiveness of Germany’s security forces. The establishment of a new department within the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) dedicated to “Islamist-motivated terrorism/extremism” is one of the significant measures taken to enhance security. The death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October has heightened the alert, with concerns that it may provoke more attacks in the West.
In addition to the threat of terrorism, Germany faces challenges with politically motivated crimes and violence. A recent example includes a series of violent incidents at open-air pools in Berlin, which led to the implementation of security measures such as security guards and compulsory ID checks. These incidents have sparked a law and order debate in the country, with some calling for fast-track justice for perpetrators of violence.
