Islamist attack in Magdeburg sparks German political uproar
Saudi doctor, Taleb A., accused of the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, was the subject of a speech by the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). She claimed that the attacker was a secret Islamist hiding in a non-Islamic society.
The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg took place on Friday evening, shaking Germany. The number of people injured was 235, and five people died, including a nine-year-old child.
Saudi doctor Taleb A. was accused of carrying out the attack by driving a speeding car into the crowd. According to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, the man was a hidden Islamist, which they suggest was the motive behind his actions.
Alice Weidel, during a rally at the scene, stated that the attack was "the crime of a hate-fueled Islamist". She suggested that Taleb A. concealed his beliefs, using the doctrine of taqiyyah, which allows concealing one's faith in non-Islamic societies.
"Spiegel" reports that the politician called for stricter immigration policies and the deportation of those who "despise our values". These demands were met with support from the meeting's participants, who chanted slogans about deportation.
Alice Weidel's speech indicates that the attack could significantly influence the campaign leading up to the elections scheduled for February 2025. The party's rhetoric may be dominated by migration issues and calls for accountability regarding what they perceive as an ineffective policy in this area.
What charges did the suspect of the Magdeburg attack face?
The prosecutor's office is investigating the possible motives of the suspect. One theory is the dissatisfaction of the 50-year-old psychiatrist with the treatment of Saudi immigrants, whom he believed might have been repressed in Germany. So far, his list of charges includes murder and attempted murder, but there are no charges related to terrorism.
A German newspaper revealed that the attacker left a will in which he predicted his death. The document did not contain any political messages. It is also known that the Saudi doctor had a history of conflicts with the authorities of the country where he worked.
