A devastating attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, has left five dead and over 200 injured after a car plowed through the crowded event on Friday. Authorities have identified the suspect as Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist. Al Abdulmohsen, who has lived in Germany since 2006, has a documented history of making anti-Islam statements, threats toward Germany, and expressing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
German authorities believe he acted alone but are still investigating his motives. Reports indicate that Abdulmohsen had grown increasingly disgruntled with Germany’s immigration policies in recent years. While initially supportive of the country, he began posting threats online, including a May 2024 statement to his nearly 50,000 followers: “German terrorism will be brought to justice. It’s very likely that I will die this year in order to bring justice.”
Authorities are also probing whether earlier warnings about him were missed. Saudi officials reportedly alerted Germany multiple times since 2007 about his radical views and requested his extradition, which was declined over safety concerns. German security officials have admitted receiving tips but claimed his threats were too vague for action.
The victims include a 9-year-old boy and four women aged 45, 52, 67, and 75. Abdulmohsen is being held in pre-trial detention on charges of murder, attempted murder, and dangerous bodily harm.
This incident has sparked widespread grief and raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures and how escalating threats are managed.