The Saudi Arabian doctor accused of killing five people and injuring over 200 in a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, was the subject of multiple warnings by Saudi authorities, who had requested his extradition citing potential danger, German officials confirmed on Monday.
Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist, drove a black BMW through the crowded market on Friday evening, targeting families and holiday shoppers. Victims included a nine-year-old boy and four women, aged 52, 45, 75, and 67. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the vehicle tore through the market and accelerated into the crowd.
Saudi Arabia had previously alerted German authorities about al-Abdulmohsen, citing his threatening rhetoric and social media posts, including a tweet warning that Germany would “pay a price” for its treatment of Saudi refugees. Despite these alerts and his history of inflammatory remarks, Germany took no preventive actions.
The suspect, who arrived in Germany in 2006 and gained refugee status a decade later, had been vocal in his criticism of both Islam and German immigration policies. He accused Germany of harboring radical Muslims while neglecting those fleeing religious extremism. Investigators are now scrutinizing his background, including links to far-right ideologies and public expressions of support for Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and U.S. billionaire Elon Musk.
The attack has reignited intense political debates in Germany over immigration and security. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the act as “unbelievably cruel,” comparing it to Islamist terrorism despite the suspect’s apparent ideological opposition to Islam.
In Magdeburg, grief turned into outrage over the weekend. Thousands of residents gathered to mourn the victims, leaving flowers and candles at the scene. Nearby, far-right groups organized protests, calling for stricter immigration controls and mass deportations, sparking minor disturbances that police vowed to investigate.
Political figures, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attended memorial services and pledged to address public safety concerns. Meanwhile, opposition parties criticized the government for ignoring Saudi warnings and demanded improved coordination between federal and state security agencies.
As Germany approaches February elections, the tragedy has amplified calls for stricter immigration policies. The leftist BSW party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, criticized the government’s perceived failure to act on clear warnings. Her party’s rising popularity reflects growing public frustration with the ruling coalition’s handling of security issues.
Al-Abdulmohsen, now in pre-trial detention, faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder. Authorities promised a thorough investigation to uncover his motives and ensure he is held accountable. The attack has left Germany grappling with questions about its preparedness to prevent such incidents despite prior intelligence warnings.