GERMANY – A 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, identified as Taleb A, has been arrested following a deadly car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, which resulted in the death of two individuals, including a child, and left 68 others injured. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, has been classified by authorities as a terror attack.
Taleb A, who was born in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, in 1974, has resided in Germany since securing asylum in 2006 and obtaining a permanent residence permit. Described as a Murtad – a term for a Muslim who has left Islam and is critical of the religion – Taleb specialized in psychiatry and psychotherapy. He notably supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, known for its anti-immigration stance, as per his social media presence.
The attack involved Taleb allegedly driving a rented BMW through the market, covering more than 400 meters and striking several people. CCTV footage captured the vehicle’s destructive path through the festive crowd, and subsequent videos showed the moment of Taleb’s arrest with police officers ordering him to lie down and keep his hands on his back.
Regional Premier Reiner Haseloff described the suspect as a “lone attacker,” indicating no immediate further threat to the city. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences, stating, “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg.”
Despite being wanted in Saudi Arabia on charges of terrorism and human trafficking, Germany has not extradited Taleb due to human rights concerns. He had set up a website, wearesaudi.net, aimed at assisting Murtads (Ex-Muslims) to flee from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, providing a platform for sharing information and support.
The German security service had previously warned that Christmas markets could be targets for Islamist-motivated attacks, although Taleb’s actions appear to stem from his anti-Islamic stance. The attack has prompted a strong reaction from various political figures, with AfD leader Alice Weidel questioning the ongoing situation with immigration and security.
In response, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the violence, expressing solidarity with Germany and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
Chancellor Scholz is expected to visit the site of the attack in Magdeburg on Saturday, as the nation grapples with the implications of this violent act during the holiday season.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
