Saudi doctor drives into Christmas market, Germany warned
A tragic attack occurred in Magdeburg, resulting in the deaths of two people, including a child. The perpetrator, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, was apprehended by the police. According to media reports, his native country had warned Germany about him.
On Friday evening in Magdeburg, dramatic events unfolded. The driver of a BMW SUV drove into a crowd at the "Lichterwelt" Christmas market, causing the deaths of two people, including a child, and injuring several dozen others.
Reports suggest that a Saudi Arabian informant told Reuters that the country had warned German authorities about the attacker. The attacker had posted disturbing messages on his personal account on the X platform.
Taleb A. - as he is reportedly named according to "Spiegel" - was recognized as a refugee in July 2016. He is a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy by profession, wrote "Spiegel".
"Der Spiegel" reported that the alleged perpetrator was a fan of the AfD and, among others, Elon Musk. This was revealed through an analysis of several of his social media accounts conducted by the newspaper's portal.
Eight years ago, he supposedly wrote on Twitter that he wanted to start a project together with AfD: an academy for former Muslims. When another user asked why he planned to do it with the entire AfD, he responded: "Who else is fighting against Islam in Germany?".
Who is the perpetrator?
According to "BILD" information, the perpetrator is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, residing in Bernburg (Saale) and working in the local hospital. The man has been in Germany since 2006 and has unlimited residency rights. He was not previously known as an Islamist nor did he exhibit suspicious behaviour.
The tragedy occurred at 1:04 PM Eastern Time when the driver found a gap between the protective barriers and drove into the crowd at the market. Witnesses report that the vehicle appeared suddenly, and people had no time to react. The car traveled over 400 metres before being stopped by police near one of the market entrances.
Reactions to the attack
The attack shocked not only the residents of Magdeburg but also politicians and the international community. The Chancellor of Germany, the Minister of Interior, and the President expressed their condolences to the victims and their families. The United States, France, and other countries also expressed concern and solidarity with Germany.
This tragedy, occurring just before the holidays, left a deep mark on the hearts of many. The families of the victims and witnesses will have to deal with the consequences of this dramatic event for a long time.
