Schroeder slap teacher freed

An unemployed teacher who slapped German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the face during a campaign reception was released from custody today after being questioned by police.

The 52-year-old man lunged at Schroeder while he met with local activists of his Social Democratic Party before a campaign speech last night in the western city of Mannheim. Schroeder was not injured.

Schroeder’s bodyguards jumped on the man and police arrested him. The man, whose identity was not released by authorities, refused to answer questions about his motive, police spokesman Martin Boll said.

He was released several hours later after investigators determined that he lives in the area and did not pose a risk of absconding, Boll said.

A party spokesman, Andreas Reissig, said the man joined the Social Democrats in February. That apparently allowed him to get a pass to enter the event at a Mannheim convention centre.

Shortly after the incident, Schroeder held a planned speech as part of campaigning for next month’s European Parliament elections. He did not mention the slap in the face.