Germany is in shock after a deadly car-ramming attack in Magdeburg, with questions being raised about the suspect and motive.
A man drove his vehicle into revelers at a Christmas market in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on Friday evening, killing four people and seriously injuring dozens of others, police said.
Local media reported how the vehicle drove more than 400 meters (about 435 yards) into the market area, leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Anti-Islam Saudi activist detained
A 50-year-old Saudi national was taken into police custody near the scene of the attack soon after the attack.
Authorities said the suspect has been in Germany for 18 years, has permanent residence and works in medicine.
Several German media outlets identified the man and reported that he was an expert in psychiatry and psychotherapy and was practicing in Bernburg, about 40 kilometers (25 mi) south of Magdeburg.
Describing himself as a former Muslim, the alleged perpetrator shared dozens of tweets and retweets daily focusing on anti-Islamic topics.
He often criticized the religion and congratulated Muslims who left the faith.
He also accused German authorities of failing to take adequate steps to combat “Islamism of Europe”.
Far-right AfD supporter?
He has also expressed support for the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Der Spiegel magazine reports.
Recently, he repeatedly claimed on social media that German authorities were targeting Saudi asylum seekers and sought to “destroy our anti-Islam activism”.
A Saudi source told Reuters news agency that Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities about the attacker because he had posted extremist views that threatened peace and security on his personal X account.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz was due to travel to Magdeburg on Saturday to pay respects to the victims. A memorial service is to take place in the city cathedral in the evening.
Friday’s attack on a Christmas market in Germany was not the first. In December 2016, Tunisian Anis Amri drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 13 people.
Following the attack, German cities imposed strong barriers at Christmas and other outdoor events to prevent similar incidents.
mm/sms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)