It has been claimed that Germany ignored warnings that Friday’s Magdeburg Christmas Market attack suspect was a danger, as five people have been killed and 205 people left hurt, including 41 seriously
A child aged nine was tonight confirmed as the youngest of five people killed in the Christmas market horror attack as it was claimed Germany ignored warnings the suspect was a danger.
Some 205 people were hurt, including 41 seriously, when a BMW sped through crowds in the town of Magdeburg on Friday evening.
And there are fears the death toll could rise, as it is understood “many people” remain in intensive care.
The alleged driver, named locally as doctor Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, originally from Saudi Arabia, was last night being quizzed on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm.
The psychologist, 50, who is understood to who have moved to Germany in 2006, is believed to be anti-Islam, a Shia Muslim from the city of Al-Hofuf who turned his back on his religion.
It was claimed Saudi security officials tried to warn German authorities about him a year ago and that they failed to respond to concerns.
He reportedly posted online about killing Germans en masse months before the attack, claiming “slaughtering German citizens indiscriminately” could be a “path to justice”.
And he allegedly supported comments made by far-right activist Tommy Robinson on social media, posted messages about Germany’s right-wing opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and accused his adopted homeland of failing to address what he called the “Islamism of Europe”.
He also shared dozens of tweets and retweets a day focusing on anti-Islam themes, criticising the religion and congratulating Muslims who left the faith.
In a BBC documentary in 2019, he spoke about helping others to get safe asylum outside of Saudi Arabia and described himself as an “ex-Muslim” living in exile in Germany.
He claimed his life was “threatened” in his native Saudi Arabia and he was spending up to 16 hours a day assisting asylum seekers.
Police started receiving emergency calls just after 7pm on Friday about a car speeding through the market.
Witness Matthias Zapf, 47, said: “I saw the people flying through the air when the car crashed into the crowd. You can’t get that picture out of your mind.” Others described “war-like conditions”, while one firefighter said: “It was like something out of a bad movie. People were lying on the left and right. The only thing that went through my mind was who am I going to help now?”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser travelled to Magdeburg yesterday to visit the scene of the attack.
Ms Faeser said: “The perpetrator was evidently Islamophobic – we can confirm that. Everything else is a matter for further investigation.” Thousands of people lit candles and laid flowers and soft toys in tribute before mourners joined local officials and emergency service workers at a memorial service at Magdeburg cathedral.
Shortly before, a group of almost 500 protesters – described as “aggressive right-wing extremists” – marched through the city centre.
Earlier police searched al-Abdulmohsen’s flat in Bernburg, around 30 miles south of Magdeburg in central east Germany, and carried boxes to a van.
It is believed al-Abdulmohsen lived at the address, near his clinic, for several years. Neighbours said they barely knew him and the blinds were usually closed.
Nurse Sabrina Lippold, 37, said: “It makes me feel sick to think about it. It just shows, you never know who you are living next to.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent his support, saying: “We stand with the people of Germany.”
