German Authorities Pledge Investigation Into Deadly Christmas Market Attack Amid Security Criticism

 

The German government has vowed to thoroughly investigate the Christmas market car attack in Magdeburg that left five people dead and 200 injured, amid revelations that authorities had received multiple warnings about the suspect.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Sunday that heads of domestic and foreign intelligence agencies would be questioned by parliamentary committees in the coming week to uncover whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

The suspect, identified by German media as 50-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a Saudi-born psychiatrist, was arrested at the scene of the attack. Abdulmohsen, who had permanent residency in Germany, had a history of online threats, including posts advocating violence against German citizens. Authorities described him as a "Saudi atheist" who criticized Islam, supported far-right ideologies, and frequently shared anti-Islam conspiracy theories online.

Abdulmohsen also expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party and publicly praised X owner Elon Musk, who has also voiced support for AfD.

The victims included four women aged 52, 45, 75, and 67, as well as a nine-year-old boy, André Gleißner, whose mother paid an emotional tribute to him on social media, writing, “You will always live on in our hearts.”

The attack, which occurred Friday evening, saw a rented BMW SUV plow through the crowded market at high speed, leaving 41 people in critical or serious condition.

A memorial service held at St. John’s Church attracted thousands of mourners who laid flowers at the site. However, tensions escalated as a far-right rally in the city turned confrontational, with over 2,000 protesters chanting anti-immigration slogans and calling for the deportation of migrants.

Authorities revealed that they had received warnings about Abdulmohsen’s behavior. In November 2023, Saudi intelligence alerted Germany to an online post in which Abdulmohsen threatened retaliation against the country. He was also known for making threats and insults to various authorities but had no recorded history of violence.

Germany’s federal office for migration and refugees acknowledged receiving a tip about Abdulmohsen last summer, which it passed on to relevant agencies. However, questions remain about whether these warnings were adequately followed up.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as "terrible and insane," urging national unity amid growing political tensions ahead of federal elections in February. Opposition parties criticized the government’s handling of security threats, with AfD leader Bernd Baumann calling for a special parliamentary session to address what he termed a “desperate” security situation.

The Christian Social Union and far-left BSW party also demanded clarity on why warnings about Abdulmohsen were seemingly ignored, calling for reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Described as a "psychopath with ultra-right conspiracy ideologies" by Mina Ahadi, chair of an association for former Muslims in Germany, Abdulmohsen had a controversial public presence. Known for his extreme rhetoric, he had been fined in 2013 for disturbing public peace and was recently under investigation for misuse of emergency calls.

Faeser emphasized that the investigation would leave “no stone unturned” and promised a thorough review of how the suspect’s background and threats were handled. As Germany grapples with the aftermath, the incident has reignited debates on migration, far-right extremism, and public safety.