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Information about the suspect in the attack on the German Christmas market
A 50-year-old Saudi citizen who has lived in Germany for over a decade has been identified as the perpetrator of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg. His motives and radicalization are the focus of the investigation.
Information about the suspect in the attack on the German Christmas market
In the German city of Magdeburg, a driver who plowed his vehicle into a crowded Christmas market killed at least five people and injured more than 200. Authorities have identified the perpetrator as a 50-year-old Saudi citizen who has lived in Germany for more than a decade and works as a doctor.
Motive of the perpetrator
Investigators are currently trying to clarify the attacker's motive. He had a history in which he made several anti-Islamic statements and claimed to have helped people, especially women, escape from Saudi Arabia.
Background of the suspect
According to Tamara Zieschang, the interior minister of Saxony-Anhalt, the capital of Magdeburg, the suspect came to Germany in 2006 and had a permanent residence permit. He worked as a doctor in Bernburg, a small town about 40 kilometers south of Magdeburg. His full name is withheld due to legal requirements to maintain anonymity in Germany, but media outlets have identified him as Taleb A.
Limited identification and reactions
The suspect was arrested and is believed to have acted alone. In a now-deleted X-profile that appeared to belong to Taleb A., he made several anti-Islamic statements and described himself as a Saudi dissident. He spoke openly about rejecting his Islamic faith, expressed sympathy for the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) and accused Germany of promoting the Islamization of the country.
Refugee crisis and the AfD
In 2015 and 2016, Germany took in more than 1 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from the Middle East. This policy was initially praised, but with the rise of the AfD, support for this measure has fallen.
Reactions of the Saudi authorities
After identifying the perpetrator as a Saudi citizen, the Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the attack. In addition, Saudi authorities warned the German authorities about the suspect three times between 2007 and 2008. These warnings included concerns that Taleb A. had expressed radical views.
Complex relationship between Germany and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia considered the suspect a fugitive and requested his extradition from Germany, but German authorities refused because of concerns about his safety if he returned. He was also reported to have harassed Saudis abroad who did not share his political views. It was discovered that he had become a supporter of the AfD and had developed radical anti-Islamic views.
Investigations and expert opinions
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the man as an “Islamophobe” on Saturday. However, it provided little further information and said that the investigation into what led to the attack was still at an early stage. The suspicion of a motive remains unclear. Taleb A. appears to be the same man who has contacted media outlets in the past to report on his efforts to help people escape Saudi Arabia.
Remarkable observations from experts
Some experts have already pointed out that the man is an unusual suspect in such a mass killing attack. Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King's College London, commented on this on
Coverage of this incident was assisted by CNN journalists Nic Robertson, Sandi Sidhu, Sophie Tanno, Nadine Schmidt, Isaac Yee, Billy Stockwell, Catherine Nicholls, Benjamin Brown and Mohammed Tawfeeq.