German authorities in Magdeburg confirmed this morning (Saturday, December 21, 2024) that the suspect behind last night’s car-ramming attack at a Christmas market is Talib Abdul Mohsen, a Saudi-origin psychiatrist. Abdul Mohsen, who moved to Germany in 2006, was previously known for opposing political Islam.
The attack killed four people and injured around 200, with 16 critically wounded, though officials have confirmed only two deaths so far.
Media reports reveal that Abdul Mohsen renounced Islam in the 1990s and was active among Saudi dissidents in Germany. He was a vocal critic of political Islam, creating a website to support Muslim asylum seekers.
Notably, Abdul Mohsen supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, posting anti-Islam tweets and expressing fears of Germany’s “Islamization.” He also criticized U.S. immigration policies under President Biden.
Authorities are still investigating the motives behind the attack. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with Germany and condemned the violence.
The incident is likely to influence Germany’s political climate ahead of February elections, fueling debates on immigration and extremism. Recent polls show growing support for the far-right AfD, while left-wing parties opposing immigration are also gaining traction.
A memorial service will be held today at Magdeburg Cathedral, attended by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, to honor the victims.
