MAGDEBURG, Germany (Reuters) – Authorities have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi doctor with a history of anti-Islam rhetoric over a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, which left five people dead and scores injured.
The attack, which occurred on Friday evening, is being seen as a potential catalyst for a growing debate in Germany over security and immigration, particularly in the run-up to a national election in February.
The suspect, who has lived in Germany for almost two decades, is believed to have driven a car through the crowded market at a slow pace before picking up speed and striking the crowd, killing a nine-year-old child and four adults, with 41 others sustaining serious or critical injuries.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but prosecutors have suggested that the suspect’s alleged frustration with Germany’s handling of Saudi refugees may have played a role.
The suspect, identified as Taleb A., has a history of posting anti-Islamist and far-right views online, and has been critical of Germany’s treatment of Saudi refugees. He was arrested at the scene and will likely face charges of multiple murder and attempted murder.
The attack has sent shockwaves across Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other politicians condemning the incident and calling for unity and calm in the face of rising political tensions.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has a strong following in the former East, has issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for a crackdown on immigration. The party’s leadership is expected to benefit from the attack in the upcoming election.
As the nation mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of the attack, many are left wondering how such a tragedy could have occurred in a country known for its open-door policy to refugees and immigrants.
