Die Spur: Anschlag im Auftrag des IS? – Der Fall Solingen. Screening and talk about the ZDF documentary

Solingen celebrates the city's birthday on August 23rd. But the exuberant atmosphere at the ‘Festival of Diversity’ comes to an abrupt end. At around 21:30, a man attacks visitors to the festival with a knife. Three people die and eight are injured. The suspected perpetrator: 26-year-old Syrian Issa al H.

The terrorist organisation Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. Reporter Michael Trammer and reporter Laura Kipfelsberger ask themselves the question: Where did the suspected attacker become radicalised? In Germany, possibly via social media? Or was he already in contact with IS in his home country of Syria?

Michael Trammer sets off on a research trip to north-east Syria and finds traces in the region of origin of the alleged perpetrator - formerly an IS stronghold. Laura Kipfelsberger searches the internet for traces of Issa al H. and talks to experts. The result is a documentary that provides deep insights into the suspected assassin's life and the Islamic State's radicalisation strategies.

After the screening of the documentary, Michael Trammer, Laura Kipfelsberger and producer Manuel Möglich talk about the challenge of telling investigative research as an eventful TV reportage and about the necessary safety concepts when filming in high-risk areas. The three also talk about how quickly plans can change when filming during the rebel offensive in Syria, as in the case of this documentary.