Shock in Germany over the death of a cashier after an argument about the use of masks

(Reuters) – German politicians expressed shock Tuesday over the killing of a 20-year-old gas station worker after an argument over a mask, and said deniers of the gas will not be tolerated. coronavirus who are willing to use violence.
The homicide that occurred Saturday night in the western city of Idar-Oberstein made national headlines for being one of the only such cases related to covid-19 restrictions.

Prosecutors say the gas station cashier asked a 49-year-old man who wanted to buy beer to comply with the rules and wear a mask.

The customer refused and left, but came back later with the mask, which he lowered when he approached the cashier, who again referred to the rules.

“Then the assailant pulled out a revolver and shot the cashier in the head in the front. The victim fell to the ground and died immediately,” prosecutor Kai Fuhrmann told reporters.

The country’s politicians expressed shock at the killing, which took place after an argument over a mask.

The suspect later turned himself in at a police station, claiming the coronavirus measures were causing him stress, Furhmann said. Is stopped.

The killing took place a week before a federal election in which the far-right AfD has tried to entice voters with a campaign against lockdowns and vaccines. The political party, which is around 11% in polls, is home to many coronavirus deniers.

On Tuesday, politicians responded to messages circulating on social media from far-right groups and so-called “Querdenker” (side thinkers) who deny the coronavirus and show sympathy for the aggressor.

“The hatred and incitement that comes from these people who cannot be taught divide our community and kill people. They have no place in our society,” tweeted Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who said the Querdenkers they celebrated the homicide.

Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said it was disgusting how murder had been used to fuel hatred.

“The State must counteract the radicalization of the coronavirus deniers who are willing to use violence with all possible means,” he said.