Police reported that last Friday a knife-wielding man attacked and wounded several people in the market square of Mannheim in southwest Germany.

Five people taking part in a rally organised by Pax Europa, a group that opposes radical Islam, were wounded in the attack.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner expressed outrage at the incident and said the government  will strengthen security.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called for a full investigation of the attack.

If the investigation reveals an Islamist motive, that would be further confirmation that Islamists pose a great theat of violence, Faeser said.