Magdeburg (Germany): A 50-year-old Saudi man has been arrested by German police following a deadly car ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg. The incident claimed two lives and left over 60 injured as a speeding vehicle ploughed through a crowd of revellers. Video footage of the attack captured the chaos, leading to swift action from authorities.
Who Is The Saudi Man Arrested For Attack?
The suspect, a psychiatrist, identified as Taleb A., had been living in Saxony-Anhalt since 2006. Reports indicate that he is an atheist who has faced persecution in Germany. In a 2019 interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he described himself as the most aggressive critic of Islam in history, as per an NDTV report.
Taleb A. was granted refugee status and a permanent residence permit in Germany in 2016. Regional premier Reiner Haseloff confirmed his professional background and long-standing residence in the country.
German police have stated that the attacker acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to public safety. Authorities are actively investigating the motive behind the attack but have not disclosed any conclusive findings.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed her condolences on the tragedy, saying, “This news from Magdeburg is deeply shocking. The emergency services are doing everything they can to care for the injured and save lives. All our thoughts are with the victims and their families.” Faeser assured the public that security forces are working diligently to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Meanwhile, German Prime Minister Haseloff assured detailed probe in the matter while providing details on the case. "We are currently in the process of compiling all further data and also carrying out the interrogation. According to the current information, it is an individual perpetrator, so there is no longer any danger to the city because we were able to arrest him," said Haseloff while speaking to the media.
