German market attack latest: Suspect made 2013 threat, minister reveals, as more rallies planned tonight
The suspect in the German Christmas market attack that killed five people had “threatened to do something that would attract international attention” in 2013.
A state interior minister has revealed he was flagged as a potential threat the following year and was fined, after a search of his property and an investigation found no evidence he was preparing to carry out an act.
Law enforcement in Germany is facing criticisms over security and intelligence failure after the Saudi national rammed a car into a crowd at a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, which has injured over 200 people.
German interior minister Nancy Faeser and the heads of intelligence services are expected to answer questions at parliamentary committee hearings on 30 December.
German authorities social media said it received a tip in late summer 2023, which was "taken seriously”. Police said in a dispute over the recognition of examination results, the suspect threatened members of the state medical association with an act that would attract international attention.
Authorities named the nine-year-old boy who was among five people killed, as thousands of pounds were raised for his grieving family.
Key Points
‘My little teddy bear’: Mother’s tribute to nine-year-old boy killed in attack
Nearly £50,000 raised in support of young boy’s grieving family
Far-right gather in Magdeburg
Suspect remanded in custody
Swinney reassures Scots over public safety at Christmas after Magdeburg attack
15:36 , Alex Croft
Scotland’s First Minister has reassured Scots that “public safety and public security” are a priority for Christmas events following an attack on a German Christmas market.
Five people, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed and more than 200 injured when a car ploughed through the market in the city of Magdeburg on Friday night.
John Swinney expressed the condolences of the people of Scotland to the Saxony-Anhalt Government following the attack.
Speaking to the PA news agency on Monday, Mr Swinney said: “The events in Magdeburg are absolutely heartbreaking and I have expressed the sympathy and the condolences of the people of Scotland to the Saxon-Anhalt Government as a consequence of this atrocity.
“It’s really important that everybody feels safe when they are undertaking all of their activities in life, but particularly when they are attending some of these very precious Christmas events within our community.”
Read the full report:
Swinney reassures Scots over public safety at Christmas after Magdeburg attack
Watch: Football fan shouts ‘Germany for Germans’ during minute’s silence
15:13 , Alex Croft
A protestor shouting the racist phrase “Germany for the Germans” during a minute’s silence for the victims of the Magdeburg attack prompted widespread chants of “Nazis out” from the rest of the stadium.
The incident took place during a minute’s silence before Saturday’s third tier match between Rot-Weiss Essen and VfB Stuttgart II.
A man shouted “Germany for the Germans” during a minute’s silence for the victims of Magdeburg - is countered by boos and “Nazis out” chants pic.twitter.com/Cs8TQQKlRt
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) December 23, 2024
Biden condemns act of ‘violent terror'
14:59 , Alex Croft
Joe Biden has said the US is ready to offer “all available resources and assistance” following the act of “violent terror”.
“The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Germany grieving the terrible attack at a Christmas market Friday in Magdeburg, Germany,” the statement reads.
“No community—and no family—should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace.
“My team has been in close touch with German officials. We’ve made it clear that the United States stands ready to offer all available resources and assistance if needed.
“And while this situation remains under investigation, make no mistake: the United States will always stand with our Allies against violent terror. In the coming days, we will keep all those injured or killed—and their beloved families—close in our hearts.”
Who is Taleb al-Abdulmohsen?
14:12 , Alex Croft
Police have arrested a 50-year-old man after a car ploughed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday evening, killing at least five people and injuring 200 others.
At least five people - including a nine-year-old boy and four women - were killed in the attack as the suspect is remanded in custody.
Footage showed the vehicle breaking through barriers before speeding 400 metres through the crammed “fairytale-like” Magdeburg market.
Athena Stavrour reveals everything we know about the suspect so far:
Who is Magdeburg Christmas market attack suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohsen?
Far-right anti-immigration party to stage event in Magdeburg
13:25 , Holly Evans
Leaders of the AfD, which has surged in support on an anti-immigration platform and is polling in second place ahead of the election, plan to stage an event in Magdeburg on Monday evening.
“The discussion about new security laws must not distract from the fact that #Magdeburg would not have been possible without uncontrolled immigration,” AfD leader Alice Weidel said on social media.
“The state must protect citizens through a restrictive migration policy and consistent deportations!”
Die Diskussion über neue Sicherheitsgesetze darf nicht davon ablenken, dass #Magdeburg ohne unkontrollierte Zuwanderung nicht möglich gewesen wäre. Der Staat muss die Bürger durch eine restriktive Migrationspolitik und konsequente Abschiebungen schützen!https://t.co/be3hYeu8Ci
— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) December 23, 2024
Suspect had threatened to commit act in 2013, minister reveals
12:45 , Holly Evans
The suspect in the German Christmas market attack “threatened to do something that would attract international attention” in 2013 and was flagged as a potential threat the following year, according to a state interior minister.
Christian Pegel told a press conference the 50-year-old suspect, who lived in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, had made a reference to the Boston Marathon bombings, in which three people were killed and hundreds injured in an Islamist terrorist attack in April 2013.
He was fined after no evidence was found of Islamist tendencies or a search of his home found no signs that he was preparing to commit such an act.
Arrest made over man who threatened Christmas market on TikTok
11:50 , Holly Evans
On Sunday night, police in the port city of Bremerhaven said they detained a man who threatened crimes at a Christmas market there in a TikTok video.
German news agency dpa reported that he had said he would stab any people of Arabic appearance there on Christmas Day.
Mourners continue to lay flowers near scene of deadly attack
11:06 , Holly Evans
Mourners have laid flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack in Madgeburg as investigators puzzled over the motive of the suspect and fears swirled that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society.
The Johanniskirche, a church a short walk from the scene of the attack, has become a central place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening, killing five people and injuring 200 others. A carpet of flowers now covers the broad pavement in front of the church.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency status. They say he does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks.
The man described himself as an ex-Muslim who was highly critical of Islam and in many posts on social media expressed support for the far-right
In pictures: Scenes from the incident
10:23 , Holly Evans
Birmingham Christmas market reviews security processes
09:42 , Holly Evans
One of the UK’s biggest Christmas markets said it has reviewed its security processes in the wake of the attack on a German Christmas market which left five people dead and more than 200 injured.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market’s security processes were reviewed and discussed with a police security adviser after a BMW ploughed into customers at the busy festive market in Magdeburg on Friday evening.
It said no changes are required and all staff remain vigilant.
The PA news agency understands there is no specific intelligence indicating a threat to Christmas markets in the UK.
The threat level for the whole of the UK remains at substantial, meaning an attack is likely.
A joint statement from Frankfurt Christmas Market Ltd and Kurt Stroscher, Frankfurt City Council, said: “Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market has a robust security concept that is the result of multi-agency planning that includes police security and counter-terrorism specialists.
“In light of last night’s tragic events in Germany the processes were reviewed and discussed with the police security adviser. No changes are required and all staff remain vigilant.
“Incidents such as those now occurring in Magdeburg reaffirm the efforts of all those responsible for the Christmas market in Birmingham to constantly rethink and optimise the security concept and demonstrate the need to continue this with the aim of achieving the greatest possible safety for visitors.”
France extends Olympics surveillance measures to Christmas market
09:16 , Holly Evans
Friday’s deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg has prompted renewed scrutiny in a number of European countries of security arrangements for the seasonal markets, which draw large crowds.
But the French interior ministry’s broad use of powers introduced under a 2017 anti-terror law to strictly limit the movements of individuals deemed a serious security threat was already drawing criticism from some lawyers and human rights activists before the attack.
At least 547 people were placed under an “individual measure of administrative control and surveillance” for the Paris Olympics, according to a parliamentary report published on Dec. 11, even though some, like Khaled, had never faced criminal charges.
Now, some lawyers and activists are concerned that the wider use of these measures, known by the French acronym MICAS, could become the norm for other major public events.
The interior ministry, which is in charge of police, and the local authority for the Bas-Rhin region, which includes Strasbourg, did not answer questions about those targeted because of the Christmas market.
UK Christmas market reviews security in wake of Magdeburg attack
09:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
One of the UK’s biggest Christmas markets said it has reviewed its security processes in the wake of the attack on a German Christmas market which left five people dead and more than 200 injured.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market’s security processes were reviewed and discussed with a police security adviser after a BMW ploughed into customers at the busy festive market in Magdeburg on Friday evening.
It said no changes are required and all staff remain vigilant.
UK Christmas market has reviewed its security in wake of Magdeburg attack
Who is the German Christmas market attack suspect?
08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Police have arrested a 50-year-old man after a car ploughed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday evening, killing at least five people and injuring 200 others.
At least five people - including a nine-year-old boy and four women - were killed in the attack as the suspect is remanded in custody.
Footage showed the vehicle breaking through barriers before speeding 400 metres through the crammed “fairytale-like” Magdeburg market.
More here.
Who is Magdeburg Christmas market attack suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohsen?
‘No stone will be left unturned’ in wake of Christmas market attack
08:07 , Holly Evans
As criticism continues to mount of Germany’s security failure to stop the attacker, the interior minister Nancy Faesar has said the heads of the country’s intelligence services would be questioned by two parliamentary committees.
She promised Bild newspaper that “no stone will be left unturned”, adding that authorities would “clarify all this background. They will also examine in detail what information was available in the past, and how it was followed up.”
Faeser said that the current task was to understand the suspect “who does not fit any existing mould”.
Everything we know about Magdeburg attack
08:00 , Andy Gregory
An extensive police operation is underway following the attack at the market in the German city of Magdeburg that happened at around 7pm local time on Friday.
Athena Stavrou has this rundown of what we know so far:
German Christmas market: Everything we know about car attack that killed five
In pics: People pay tribute at the site of the Magdeburg Christmas market attack
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
German vice-chancellor issues warning over disinformation
07:00 , Andy Gregory
Germany’s vice-chancellor Robert Habeck has issued a warning against disinformation in the wake of the attack in Magdeburg.
The Green Party’s candidate for chancellor said in a video published on social media: “Don't believe what propagandists on the internet want you to believe. Lies are faster than the truth. Take time for the truth. Take time for scepticism, for doubt, for asking questions. Don't let hatred infect you.”
German authorities received tipoffs last year about the suspect
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
German authorities said they received tipoffs last year about the suspect in a car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. Police haven’t publicly named the suspect, in line with privacy rules, but some German news outlets have identified him as Taleb A.
Police said in a dispute over the recognition of examination results, the suspect threatened members of the state medical association with an act that would attract international attention, triggering an investigation and a search of his home.
No evidence was found of real preparations for an attack but a court found him guilty in 2013 of threatening an attack.
Police union criticises lack of communication between authorities
06:00 , Andy Gregory
The chair of the German police union has criticised an alleged lack of communication between authorities following the Magdeburg attack.
“We don’t communicate enough between the authorities. The exchange of data is not automated,” Jochen Kopelke told the German broadcaster Phoenix.
He added: “Data protection prevents much more information from flowing. This is a core problem in the German federal security architecture.”
Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Magdeburg Christmas market attack
05:11 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
As the German city of Magdeburg mourns the loss of people killed in an attack on a Christmas market, anger is growing over security concerns and previous warnings given to authorities about the suspect.
A least five people - including a nine-year-old boy - have died so far, with a further 200 injured, 41 of whom are in critical condition.
Minutes after a car was rammed into the bustling market, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia named by German media as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen was arrested. On Saturday evening, he was remanded into custody after appearing in court, police said.
Local media reported he had shown support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), with a Saudi source telling Reuters that the kingdom had warned German authorities about the suspect, who the source said had posted extremist views on his personal X account.
German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme on Sunday: “The question is, ‘Does X really act against these things?’”
More here.
Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Magdeburg Christmas market attack
German Christmas market attack suspect speaks to BBC in resurfaced 2019 interview
05:00 , Andy Gregory
In the days since his arrest, a 2019 BBC video featuring the Magdeburg attack suspect has resurfaced.
In the interview, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen is seen discussing a website he designed to help ex-Muslims flee the Gulf region.
Mother pays tribute to boy, 9, killed in German Christmas market attack
04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The youngest victim of the attack on a Christmas market in Germany has been named by his family.
In a heartbreaking social media post, the mother of nine-year-old Andre Gleissner paid tribute to her “little teddy bear” following the incident on Friday night.
Desiree Gleissner wrote on Facebook: “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again. Andre didn’t do anything to anybody. He was only with us on earth for nine years. Why you? Just why?”
Athena Stavrou has more.
Mother pays tribute to boy, 9, killed in German Christmas market attack
German authorities were warned about suspect
04:02 , Andy Gregory
German authorities received a warning last year about the suspect in a car attack at a Christmas market which killed five people, officials have said.
The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said on social media site X on Sunday it received a tip in late summer 2023.
The said: “This was taken seriously, like every other of the numerous tips.”
The office highlighted it is not an investigative office and said it referred the information to the relevant authorities, following procedure in such cases.
It gave no other details about the suspect or the nature of the warnings.
Italy increases security at Christmas markets after Germany attack
03:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Italian authorities have urged police stations across the country to increase security at Christmas markets following the deadly attack in the German city of Magdeburg.
The letter sent to the police calls for the “immediate strengthening” of security in areas “that are most attractive from a touristic and commercial standpoint”.
Saudi doctor charged with murder
03:31 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The suspect in the German Christmas market shooting has been charged with murder and attempted murder, according to reports.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency.
He remains in custody as authorities investigate him.
Watch: Far-right protesters rally in Magdeburg after German Christmas market attack
03:04 , Andy Gregory
Christmas markets a cherished part of German culture
02:06 , Andy Gregory
Christmas markets are a huge part of German culture as an annual holiday tradition cherished since the Middle Ages and successfully exported to much of the Western world.
In Berlin alone, more than 100 markets opened late last month and brought the smells of mulled wine, roasted almonds and bratwurst to the capital.
Other markets abound across the country.
‘Children screaming, crying for mama’: Eyewitness returns to scene to pay respects
01:10 , Andy Gregory
Andrea Reis, who had been at the market on Friday, returned on Saturday with her daughter Julia to lay a candle by the church overlooking the site. She said that had it not been for a matter of moments, they may have been in the car’s path.
“I said, ‘let’s go and get a sausage’, but my daughter said ‘no let’s keep walking around’. If we’d stayed where we were we’d have been in the car’s path,” she said.
Tears ran down her face as she described the scene. “Children screaming, crying for mama. You can’t forget that,” she said.
UK Christmas market has reviewed its security in wake of Magdeburg attack
00:17 , Andy Gregory
One of the UK’s biggest Christmas markets said it has reviewed its security processes in the wake of the attack on a German Christmas market which left five people dead and more than 200 injured.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market’s security processes were reviewed and discussed with a police security adviser after a BMW ploughed into customers at the busy festive market in Magdeburg on Friday evening.
It said no changes are required and all staff remain vigilant.
UK Christmas market has reviewed its security in wake of Magdeburg attack
Witness says husband spent hours helping attack victims
Sunday 22 December 2024 23:28 , Andy Gregory
Thi Linh Chi Nguyen, a manicurist from Vietnam whose salon is situated close to the Christmas market, was on the phone during a break when she heard loud bangs that she thought were fireworks.
She then saw a car drive through the market at high speed. People screamed and a child was thrown into the air by the car.
Shaking as she described what she had witnessed, the 34-year-old recalled seeing the car bursting out of the market and turning right onto Ernst-Reuter-Allee street and then coming to a standstill at the tram stop where the suspect was arrested.
“My husband and I helped [those injured] for two hours,” she told the Associated Press. “He ran back home and grabbed as many blankets as he could find because they didn’t have enough to cover the injured people. And it was so cold.”
50% rise in reports to anti-terror hotline in UK this year, police say
Sunday 22 December 2024 22:50 , Andy Gregory
Earlier this week, Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Jon Savell said police are “relying on the public” to spot suspected terror activity during the festive period, as this year has seen a 50 per cent rise in suspicious activity reports made to the anti-terror hotline.
The cause of the spike is uncertain but contacts are making a difference to investigations, according to Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP).
There were 52 more arrests for terrorism offences last year than in 2022 – an increase of 31 per cent and the highest number in a single year since 2019.
Christmas shopping, festive markets, pantomimes and concerts could attract terror activity, CTP warned, as it reminded people “everyone has a role to play in keeping each other safe” by spotting and reporting suspicious activity.
CTP previously said it had more than 800 investigations under way, most in partnership with MI5, and that it was working with intelligence services at MI5 and GCHQ to understand and prevent radicalisation.
It has stopped 43 late-stage attacks from taking place alongside MI5, three of which were in the last 12 months.
Who is the German Christmas market attack suspect?
Sunday 22 December 2024 22:13 , Andy Gregory
The suspect is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, named by German media as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen. On Saturday evening, he was remanded into custody after appearing in court.
Authorities confirmed that he first came to Germany in 2006 and later gained refugee status in 2016.
Local media reported that he had shown support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), with a Saudi source telling Reuters that the kingdom had warned German authorities about the attacker, who the source said had posted extremist views on his personal X account.
A German security source told the news agency that tips sent by the Saudi authorities in 2023 and 2024 had been passed on to the relevant authorities. Newspaper Die Welt cited security sources as saying that a risk assessment conducted by state and federal investigators concluded that the man posed “no specific danger”.
My colleague Athena Stavrou has more details in this report:
Who is German Christmas market attack suspect? Saudi doctor and far-right supporter
Whatever the aim, the German Christmas market attack will surely make the West more divided
Sunday 22 December 2024 21:39 , Andy Gregory
The confounding picture of Taleb A. makes his aims while behind the wheel on Friday night all the more muddy. But for too many people and politicians, the identity of the perpetrator as an Arab will be enough, Mark Almond writes:
Whatever the aim, the German Christmas market attack will make the West more divided
Suspect had not worked since October
Sunday 22 December 2024 21:10 , Andy Gregory
The clinic where the suspect is believed to have worked released a statement following Friday night’s attack.
Posting on Instagram, the Salus-Fachklinikum Bernburg clinic said it was “shocked to learn that the alleged perpetrator worked as a specialist doctor in our enforcement in Bernburg”.
It added that the suspect had been employed there as a psychiatric specialist since March 2020, but he had not been working since October due to illness and holiday.
“We have been supporting the work of the investigative authorities in every possible way since the late hours,” it added.
Germany’s foreign minister says Christmas markets must be ‘places of solidarity'
Sunday 22 December 2024 20:40 , Andy Gregory
Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has stressed that Christmas markets should continue to be “places of solidarity and togetherness in society”, in comments to the dpa press agency.
The attack at Magdeburg has prompted several other towns to cancel their weekend Christmas markets as a precaution and out of solidarity. Berlin – which suffered a 2016 attack at a church market in which 12 people were killed and 49 injured – kept its markets open but increased the police presence.
Germany’s interior minister calls for tighter domestic security laws
Sunday 22 December 2024 20:11 , Andy Gregory
Germany’s interior minister has called for parliament to urgently adopt drafted laws to tighten domestic security in the country.
Speaking to the Spiegel newspaper, Nancy Faeser said: “It is clear that we must do everything we can to protect the people of Germany from such horrific acts of violence. To do this, our security authorities need all the necessary powers and more personnel.”
Gun laws and security powers were tightened following August’s mass stabbing in Solingen, in which three people were killed and for which Isis claimed responsibility. However, Ms Faeser claimed further legislation such as a new federal police act and moves to introduce biometric surveillance were blocked primarily by her former coalition partners in the FDP.
“All of these bills of ours could be passed immediately if the Union and FDP do not refuse to do so,” Ms Faeser claimed, despite her party having lost its parliamentary majority ahead of the new year and looming elections in February.
Nine-year-old victim’s family to share fundraiser proceeds with fellow bereaved and survivors
Sunday 22 December 2024 19:49 , Andy Gregory
The family of nine-year-old André Gleissner will share the proceeds of an online fundraiser with the families of other victims, after a GoFundMe set up by a family friend raised tens of thousands of pounds.
Describing André’s family as “simply overwhelmed” by the donations, which are to help towards funeral costs, the page’s organiser initially paused the fundraiser after “so much money was raised that we never expected”.
But in a later update, the organiser said they had reopened the option to donate after receiving a flood of requests from members of the public who wished to do so, adding that André’s family intend to pass on a large part of the donations to the other victims who died or were injured in the attack.
The fundraiser has so far raised nearly €65,000 (£53,000).
Perpetrator ‘does not fit any existing mould’, minister says
Sunday 22 December 2024 19:22 , Andy Gregory
Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser has vowed that the criminal investigation into Friday’s attack would leave no stone unturned.
“The task is to piece together all findings and paint a picture of this perpetrator, who does not fit any existing mould,” Ms Faeser said.
“This perpetrator acted in an unbelievably cruel and brutal manner – like an Islamist terrorist, although he was clearly ideologically hostile to Islam,” she added.
The suspect had been strongly critical of German authorities as well as Islam in the past. He had also appeared in a number of media interviews in recent years reporting on his work helping Saudi Arabians who had turned their back on Islam to flee to Europe.
He had voiced support on social media platform X for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and for US billionaire Elon Musk, who has backed the AfD.
Sea of floral tributes laid at church close to scene of attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 19:04 , Andy Gregory
A sea of flowers stretched out in front of St John’s Church in Magdeburg, close to the scene of the crime, which attracted a steady stream of tearful mourners over the weekend.
“This is my second time here. I was here yesterday. I brought flowers and it moved me so much and I had to know today how many flowers were brought,” local resident Ingolf Klinzmann told Reuters.
A sign commemorating the victims bore in large lettering the word “Why?”.
‘Minor disturbances’ as far-right demonstrates in Magdeburg
Sunday 22 December 2024 18:47 , Andy Gregory
There were scuffles and some “minor disturbances” at a far-right demonstration attended by around 2,100 people on Saturday night in Magdeburg, police said. They added that criminal proceedings would follow, but did not give details.
Protesters, some wearing black balaclavas, held up a large banner with the word “remigration”, a term popular with supporters of the far right who seek the mass deportation of immigrants and people they deem not ethnically German.
Questions over suspect’s past posts on X
Sunday 22 December 2024 18:29 , Andy Gregory
Local media reported that the suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohsen had shown support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), with a Saudi source telling Reuters that the kingdom had warned German authorities about the suspect, who the source said had posted extremist views on his personal X account.
German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme on Sunday: “The question is, ‘Does X really act against these things?’”
Full report: Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 18:00 , Andy Gregory
As the German city of Magdeburg mourns the loss of people killed in an attack on a Christmas market, anger is growing over security concerns and previous warnings given to authorities about the suspect.
The leader of Germany’s far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance party, Sahra Wagenknecht, asked “why so many tips and warnings were ignored beforehand,” and called for interior minister Nancy Faeser to explain.
On the other end of the political spectrum, AfD’s parliamentary head demanded a parliamentary session be held to discuss security issues.
Far-right protesters also took to the streets of Magdeburg on Saturday evening, holding a sign which read “remigration” and calling for the mass deportation of immigrants.
My colleague Athena Stavrou reports:
Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Magdeburg Christmas market attack
Video report | Four women and boy confirmed as those killed in German Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 17:31 , Andy Gregory
Nine-year-old victim was member of youth fire brigade
Sunday 22 December 2024 16:59 , Andy Gregory
Nine-year-old André Gleissner was a member of a children’s fire brigade, it has emerged.
In a statement, the Lower Saxony youth fire brigade said: “It is with deep shock and sadness that we share in the tragic events of the terrorist attack in Magdeburg. At a time that should be marked by community, hope and reflection, we are once again confronted with fear and violence.
“We are particularly saddened by the loss of such a young life from our own ranks. André, nine years old and a committed member of the Warle children’s fire brigade in the Braunschweig district, was taken from his life by this senseless act.
“Our condolences go out to his family, his friends and everyone who was close to him. We stand by their side in these difficult times and express our deepest sympathy.”
Nearly £50,000 raised in support of nine-year-old victim’s family
Sunday 22 December 2024 16:33 , Andy Gregory
Nearly £50,000 has been raised for André Gleissner, the Magdeburg attack’s nine-year-old victim who “will never be able to unwrap his Christmas presents”.
The tribute on the GoFundMe page set up by a friend of Andre’s mother, Desirèe, states: “André was really looking forward to Christmas. He wanted to spend the last weekend of Advent with his family at the Magdeburg Christmas market.
“But that day ended in unbelievable tragedy: André was a victim of the terrible attack on the Christmas market and will never be able to open his presents. With his cheerful smile and his joy for life, André leaves a big hole in the hearts of his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
“This fundraising campaign was launched to support André’s family during this difficult time. Funds raised will help ease the financial burden caused by this tragedy and allow the family to move through the journey of grief at their own pace.”
‘My little teddy bear’: Mother’s tribute to nine-year-old boy killed in attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 16:28 , Andy Gregory
The youngest victim of the attack on a Christmas market in Germany has been named by his family.
In a heartbreaking social media post, the mother of nine-year-old André Gleißner paid tribute to her son, saying: “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again. André didn’t do anything to anybody. He was only with us on earth for nine years. Why you? Just why?”
She added: “You will always live on in our hearts … I promise you that.”
Athena Stavrou has more details in this report:
Mother pays tribute to boy, 9, killed in German Christmas market attack
Watch: Far-right protesters rally in Magdeburg after German Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 15:37 , Athena Stavrou
Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Magdeburg Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 15:06 , Athena Stavrou
As the German city of Magdeburg mourns the loss of people killed in an attack on a Christmas market, anger is growing over security concerns and previous warnings given to authorities about the suspect.
Minutes after a car was rammed into the bustling market, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia named by German media as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen was arrested. On Saturday evening, he was remanded into custody after appearing in court, police said.
Local media reported he had shown support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), with a Saudi source telling Reuters that the kingdom had warned German authorities about the suspect, who the source said had posted extremist views on his personal X account.
Read the full story:
Anger grows in Germany over missed chances to stop Magdeburg Christmas market attack
Watch: Far-right protesters rally in Magdeburg after German Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 14:01 , Athena Stavrou
Far-right protesters gathered in the German city of Magdeburg after five people - including a child - were killed in an attack on a Christmas market.
Around 1,000 people congregated in the city of Magdeburg on Saturday night (21 December), after misinformation about the motives of the suspected attacker spread online.
Protesters chanted “Those who do not love Germany should leave Germany” and held a banner with the word “Remigration” on it.
There were some minor scuffles with the police, according to local media reports.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi doctor identified by local media as Taleb A, who had lived in Germany since 2006 and reportedly sympathised with Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Watch: Far-right protesters rally in Magdeburg after German Christmas market attack
Pictured: Magdeburg pays tribute to victims
Sunday 22 December 2024 13:41 , Athena Stavrou
Eyewitness describes ‘war-like conditions’
Sunday 22 December 2024 13:24 , Athena Stavrou
In the aftermath of the attack, an anonymous eyewitness told the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung newspaper that the perpetrator drove into the ‘Fairy Tale’ area of the Magdeburg Christmas market, and that there were many families present. She and her child were able to jump to the side of the vehicle.
A restaurateur said that the driver raced directly past his burger stand, describing the conditions as “war-like”.
Anger grows over security concerns
Sunday 22 December 2024 12:54 , Athena Stavrou
As the German city of Magdeburg mourns the loss of people killed in an attack on a Christmas market, anger is growing over “security concerns”.
Security at Christmas markets in Germany has stepped up in recent years following a deadly attack in Berlin in 2016, but the attacker was able to gain access on Friday via emergency exit points.
City official Ronni Krug insisted the security concept for the Magdeburg Christmas market was “constantly being revised and modified.”
He said: “How this case could come about must first be investigated by the police. I will not indulge in speculation. But you can rest assured that we will continue to update the security concept, which we are constantly updating anyway, once we have reached an assessment with our colleagues from the police.”
German Christmas market attack: Everything we know as car attack kills five and injures hundreds
Sunday 22 December 2024 11:59 , Athena Stavrou
A driver rammed a car into a crowd of shoppers at a busy German Christmas market on Friday evening, killing at least five people and injuring 200.
An extensive police operation is underway following the attack at the market in the German city of Magdeburg that happened at around 7pm local time on Friday.
Four women and a nine-year-old boy have been killed, with 41 people thought to still be critically injured.
A 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia was arrested on Friday following the attack and has been remanded in custody.
Identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, he has been in the country since 2006 and according to local media outlets, he reportedly sympathised with the country’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Here’s everything we know about the attack so far:
Who is Taleb al-Abdulmohsen?
Sunday 22 December 2024 11:06 , Athena Stavrou
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, is suspected of ramming his car into a German Christmas market, killing five.
On Saturday evening, he was remanded into custody after appearing in a court in which he was charged with five counts of murder, multiple attempted murder and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm.
Authorities confirmed that he first came to Germany in 2006 and later gained refugee status in 2016.
He worked as a psychiatric doctor in the nearby town of Bernburg, with his workplace issuing a statement describing their shock at the attack.
Posting on Instagram, the Salus-Fachklinikum Bernburg clinic said it was “shocked to learn that the alleged perpetrator worked as a specialist doctor in our enforcement in Bernburg”.
It added that the suspect had been employed there as a psychiatric specialist since March 2020, but he had not been working since October due to illness and holiday.
Pictured: Memorial grows in Magdeburg
Sunday 22 December 2024 10:17 , Athena Stavrou
Nine-year-old boy among the dead
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:47 , Athena Stavrou
Authorities have confirmed that a nine-year-old boy is among the five people who were killed in an attack on a Christmas market in eastern Germany.
Magdeburg police said that the other victims were four women, aged 45, 52, 67 and 75.
205 people were injured in the attack including 41 in critical condition.
Watch: Far-right protesters rally in Magdeburg after German Christmas market attack
Sunday 22 December 2024 09:31 , Athena Stavrou
Suspect remanded after appearing before judge
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:55 , Athena Stavrou
The suspected driver of the car that rammed into a Christmas market in Germany has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on Saturday night.
“The judge ordered pre-trial detention for five counts of murder, multiple attempted murder and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm,” its statement said.
Five people, including a nine-year-old child, have died following the attack on Friday night.
Pictured: Far-right in Magdeburg
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:35 , Athena Stavrou
Far-right gather in Magdeburg
Sunday 22 December 2024 08:33 , Athena Stavrou
A far-right rally gathered in eastern germany after five people - including a child - were killed in an attack on a Christmas market.
Around 1,000 people congregated in the city of Magdeburg on Saturday night, after misinformation about the motives of the suspected attacker spread online.
The crowd was seen with a banner with the word ‘Remigration’ and local media reported there were some minor altercations with the police.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi doctor identified by local media as Taleb A, who had lived in Germany since 2006 and reportedly sympathised with Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Interior minister Nancy Faeser expressed concern that the attack could be exploited by the far right, but said little could be done to prevent seemingly coordinated gatherings.
On Saturday, she also described the suspect as an Islamaphobe.
