Germany’s Deadly Car-Ramming Attack: A Suspect with Anti-Islam Views
MAGDEBURG: The Saudi suspect in Germany’s deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market held strongly anti-Islam views and was angry with Germany’s migrant and asylum policy, officials said Saturday.
Chancellor’s Condolence
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the “terrible, insane” attack that killed five people and shocked the nation, days before Christmas and eight years after a jihadist drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin.
Investigation and Motive
Police were puzzling over the motive of Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the main suspect after an SUV ploughed at high speed through a dense crowd in the eastern city of Magdeburg Friday. As well as killing five people, the vehicle wounded 205 others. A nine-year-old child was among the dead and casualties were being treated in 15 regional hospitals.
Suspect’s Online Posts
Germany has been hit by multiple deadly jihadist attacks, but evidence gathered by investigators and his past online posts painted a different picture of Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor of psychiatry. In an unpublished interview with AFP from 2022 for an unrelated story, Abdulmohsen presented himself as “a Saudi atheist.” He has helped Saudi women flee their country — but also railed against what he saw as Germany’s permissive attitude towards refugees from other mainly Muslim countries.
Call for Unity
In his online posts, Abdulmohsen spoke about his troubles with and suspicions of German authorities. Last August, he posted on social media: “Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens?… If anyone knows it, please let me know.” Die Welt daily reported, citing security sources, that German state and federal police had carried out a “risk assessment” on him last year but concluded that he posed “no specific danger.”
Reaction and Response
A sombre Scholz, dressed in black, visited the attack site Saturday together with national and regional politicians laying flowers outside the main church in Magdeburg. Local people have left candles, flowers, cards, and children’s toys at the Johanneskirche church, where Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier later joined a memorial service. Scholz pledged the state would respond “with the full force of the law” to the attack. But he also called for unity as Germany has been rocked by a heated debate on immigration and security ahead of elections in February.
International Reaction
US President Joe Biden later joined other world leaders in voicing his condolences “to the people of Germany grieving the terrible attack.” “No community — and no family — should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace.” Pope Francis also offered condolences to the German president in a telegram.
Conclusion
The deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg has left the nation in shock, and the investigation into the motive and background of the suspect is ongoing. As the country mourns the loss of five lives, there is a growing call for unity and a rejection of hate and violence.
FAQs
- What is the motive behind the attack?
The motive is still unclear, but officials believe it may be linked to the suspect’s anti-Islam views and anger over Germany’s migrant and asylum policy. - Who is the suspect?
The main suspect is Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor of psychiatry. - How many people were killed in the attack?
Five people were killed, including a 9-year-old child. - What is the current situation at the Christmas market?
The market has been cancelled out of respect for the victims, and security has been stepped up at other Christmas markets across Germany.