Magdeburg market attack: Suspect's anti-Islamist motives revealed
The perpetrator of the attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, which resulted in at least two deaths and dozens of injuries, is a doctor and anti-Islamist who came to Germany in 2006 from Saudi Arabia, according to German media and the BBC.
Media reports indicate that the attacker had a negative attitude towards Islamists. As "Spiegel" points out, he assisted former Muslims, particularly women, to leave Saudi Arabia after they turned away from religious orthodoxy.
According to the Tagesspiegel, in June he accused the German police of being the "real engine" of Islamism in Germany. The BBC also reports that the suspect "have been critical of Islam."
Analysis of his social media revealed that on Portal X, he supported the anti-immigration party AfD and posted comments supporting, among others, Elon Musk.
The 50-year-old specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy from the Saudi city of Hofuf moved to Germany in 2006 and lived in Bernburg. Since 2016, he has been recognized as a refugee.
Tragedy at the market
The attack occurred on Friday just after 1 PM Eastern Time. The assailant drove into a crowd of people who were at the Christmas market. According to local police, officers managed to detain the attacker.
Footage of the suspect's detention quickly spread on social media. It shows the man lying on the sidewalk next to a black car, surrounded by several police officers. The officers instructed witnesses not to approach the scene.
According to the latest information, two people, including a child, died in the attack, and dozens were injured.
