A migrant accused of stabbing an American tourist who was defending two women on a tram in Germany has been released from custody.
John Rudat, a part-time model from New York, was attacked upon stepping in to help the passengers while onboard the tram in the city of Dresden in the early hours of Sunday.
The 21-year-old, who is also a paramedic, was taken to hospital where family members say he underwent "extensive surgery" for a "deep facial wound" from a six-inch blade.
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Mr Rudat claims one of the suspects was an illegal immigrant who was released from police custody 12 hours after the attack.
The US tourist took to social media and spoke out about Europe's "immigration problem" following the attack.
On a video posted on Instagram he said: "If y’all didn’t think that Europe had an immigration problem, especially Germany, let me drop some knowledge on you.
"In three minutes that man that assaulted that young woman yesterday will be released from custody.
"He will be released from custody because he is not a citizen of Germany, he is not a citizen of the EU for that matter.
“He doesn’t even belong in here. He is an immigrant, an illegal one, a drug dealer and very popularly known here, especially by the police."
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John Rudat was hurt while defending two women on a German tram
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He added: "If they could do this to the people of Germany and then just get released 12 hours later, even less at this point, where is the law? Where is the structure?"
Dresden Police confirmed in a statement issued on the morning of the incident that a Syrian man was being investigated by officers.
The force said: "Initially, two men from a group harassed female passengers on the train.
"A 21-year-old US citizen intervened and was stabbed by one of the other perpetrators during the ensuing altercation.
"The two perpetrators then fled the scene. Police officers who were called to the scene managed to catch one of the two, a 21-year-old Syrian, nearby.
"They are investigating him and the still-unidentified man for, among other things, grievous bodily harm."
A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Rudat's brother's girlfriend, Molly Sheldon, to help pay for medical expenses, has so far raised more than a $46,000.
A statement on the fundraising site reads: "John sustained critical injuries from his attempts to protect these females, including a deep facial wound from a six-inch blade, requiring immediate and extensive surgery in Germany.
The American model was attacked while onboard a tram in Dresden, Germany
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"This horrible act against John leaves us devastated and seeking justice. He now faces a challenging recovery; physically, emotionally, and even financially as he works to heal from this incident.
"We are all heartbroken but determined to support him through this ordeal. John is a kind, selfless soul who put his own safety on the line to help others, and now we’re rallying to support him."
The US embassy in Germany called on Mr Rudat's attackers to be brought to justice.
They said: “We urge German authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and punish them to the fullest extent permitted by law.
"Safety is a collective responsibility—no one is safe until all are safe."
Similarly to Britain, Germany is also trying to get to grips with illegal immigration.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in July he wanted to co-operate with Britain and France to help tackle the problem.
"We want to stand up and trust to and drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe, Mr Merz said via a translator.
“We are on a good path, but we haven’t reached the target yet.”
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