In wake of killing, xenophobic riots erupt in Germany

BERLIN — Under socialist control, the eastern German city of Chemnitz used to carry the name “Karl Marx City,” in tribute to the communist icon.

Over the past two days, however, the city of 240,000 has been in the news because of riots led by xenophobic groups that subscribe to a very different ideology. The violence, which brought condemnation from Chancellor Angela Merkel, erupted after a 35-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Chemnitz on Sunday during what officials called a “dispute between several people of different nationalities.” A Syrian and an Iraqi national were detained.

Amid protests over the death, right-wing mobs hunted and attacked foreigners, injuring several people. At least six others were injured Monday after far-right groups, neo-Nazis and left-wing protesters clashed in the same city, using fireworks and glass bottles as weapons.

Authorities said Tuesday that they were investigating 10 protesters accused of giving the banned “Hitler salute.”

The violence came weeks ahead of regional elections in the neighboring federal state of Bavaria, where the conservative Christian Social Union has faced accusations of playing into the hands of far-right populists by fueling tensions between refugees and German nationals.

Researchers believe that the strong performance of right-wing populists in the state is linked to xenophobic violence, even though the leadership of the far-right Alternative for Germany party has distanced itself from the weekend incidents. Saxony has been among the German states with the most violent attacks on refugees and other foreigners for years, with almost 100 incidents last year, officials said.