Controversial Right-Winger Nearly Killed in Vicious Beating

Masked assailants beat a leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party half to death, leaving the lawmaker unconscious with a gaping wound to his forehead. (New York Post)
 

Bremen police said they believe the attack on Frank Magnitz, a lawmaker in Germany’s national parliament who leads the party’s local branch, was politically motivated. They called for witnesses to the attack around 5:20 p.m. Monday near a city theater to come forward.

Magnitz was beaten over the head with an unidentified object by at least three men wearing dark clothing and hoods or hats, who then fled, police said. Two workers who were loading a car nearby found him lying on the ground and called an ambulance. The 66-year-old was hospitalized.

The party, known by its German acronym AfD, said earlier Tuesday that Magnitz was ambushed after he left a local newspaper’s new year’s reception, beaten unconscious with a piece of wood and then kicked in the head as he lay on the ground.

Bremen, Germany’s smallest state, holds a regional election on May 26, the same day as European Parliament elections in which AfD hopes to make gains.

The party released a graphic image of the 66-year-old lying on a hospital gurney with a deep gash on his forehead.

AfD leader Alexander Gauland told the press today that Magnitz is conscious and expected to make a full recovery.