In a shocking event at the Magdeburg Christmas market, a car driven by a Saudi Arabian suspect plowed through hundreds of people. Initially, German authorities considered this as a suspicious attack. Later, it was discovered that the attacker is an Islamophobe, openly opposing Islam.
The attacker is a doctor by profession, whose gruesome act of driving through the Christmas market crowds was recorded and circulated on social media. The video shows the horrifying moment he ran through the crowd. Confirmed reports state that five people have died and around 200 have been injured.
From Saudi Arabia to Germany: An Attacker's Journey
The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi national, has been living in Germany with permanent residency for almost two decades, sanctioned by the German government. His name is yet undisclosed, but his social media activity broadcasts his staunch anti-Islam stance. German media refers to him as Taleb A.
Initial investigations revealed that since March 2020, he worked as a psychiatrist at a specialist rehabilitation center for criminals with addictions. However, due to illnesses and holidays, he has been absent from the center since October 2024. He resides in a three-story apartment block near the center in the town of Bernburg, south of Magdeburg, home to 30,000 people.
Unveiling the Attacker's Possible Motive
German authorities initially stated the individual is not an Islamist. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser refrained from commenting on the attacker’s motive, notably absent was any mention of political connections, but noted his overt Islamophobia.
"There's Nothing Good in Islam," Declares Attacker
A 2019 interview with Taleb A. has surfaced, in which he self-identifies as an activist aiding those fleeing Saudi Arabia to Germany. Notably, he supports people who have turned their back on Islam to escape to Europe.
In a BBC documentary from July 2019, he discusses founding the wearesaudis.net platform after renouncing Islam and seeking asylum in Germany. Throughout these interviews, he is vociferous in his criticism of Islam, once stating in a German interview, "There's nothing good in Islam."
