ISTANBUL

Germany’s president on Wednesday commemorated the victims of the 2020 racist attacks in the city of Hanau at a memorial event marking their fifth anniversary.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said although the right-wing extremist's attack targeted people with immigration background, his actions were a concern for the entire nation.

“The right-wing extremist murders in Hanau were an attack on peaceful coexistence in our country. They were an attack on our open society and our liberal democracy,” he said.

He reiterated the responsibility to fight “racism and right-wing extremism.”

The president also expressed his “deep regret” for the relatives of the victims who expected more from the state.

The murders in Hanau did not come out of nowhere, he said.

“The perpetrator did not draw his racist world view from himself alone. The prehistory of his crime includes resentment of Muslims, Jews, Sinti and Roma,” he said, underlining that the internet and social media facilitated the spread of hatred.

On Feb. 19, 2020, far-right extremist Tobias Rathjen attacked two cafes in the city of Hanau, killing nine young people, including four Turks, and injuring five others. All the victims had migrant backgrounds.

Before the attack, the far-right extremist posted videos on the internet expressing his xenophobic views. He later killed his mother and himself.