A Saudi national, Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, has been arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder following a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The incident left five people dead, including a 9-year-old boy, and over 200 others injured. Authorities confirmed that the 50-year-old psychiatrist acted alone and remains in custody while investigations continue.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, has drawn widespread attention due to Al Abdulmohsen's unusual profile. A long-time resident of Germany, he openly renounced Islam, criticized the religion, and expressed support for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Al Abdulmohsen's growing dissatisfaction with Germany's immigration policies and his increasingly hostile social media posts are being scrutinized as potential motives.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect acted alone. Among the victims were a 9-year-old boy and four women, aged 45, 52, 67, and 75, police said on Sunday. Al Abdulmohsen is charged with five counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder and bodily harm.
Al Abdulmohsen, who arrived in Germany in 2006 and was granted permanent residency, has drawn attention for his controversial background. Known for openly renouncing Islam and aligning with Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, his online posts in recent years revealed escalating hostility toward Germany's immigration policies. In one message earlier this year, he threatened, "German terrorism will be brought to justice. It's very likely that I will die this year in order to bring justice."
Authorities are examining these posts and other potential motives. Despite warnings from Saudi Arabia dating back to 2007 about Al Abdulmohsen's radical views, German officials did not take decisive action. Saudi authorities had even requested his extradition, citing safety concerns, but Germany refused. Recent tips, including a November 2023 notification from Saudi Arabia, reignited investigations, but officials stated the threats were too vague to act upon.
Al Abdulmohsen's online presence painted a picture of escalating frustration. Posts revealed his discontent with Germany's acceptance of refugees and his alignment with AfD policies. He criticized Germany's tolerance of Islamist groups and, earlier this year, publicly threatened the German population.
He also operated a platform, wearesaudis.net, which provided guidance to Saudi nationals seeking asylum. While initially a lifeline for vulnerable individuals, his approach came under scrutiny, with allegations of mishandling sensitive cases and defamation against other NGOs.
CNN and the BBC previously reported on his activism. However, his tone shifted dramatically in recent years, with CNN cutting off contact after receiving aggressive and unsubstantiated claims.
Al Abdulmohsen's growing dissatisfaction with Germany's policies on immigration and his far-right associations have left security experts puzzled. Peter Neumann, a professor of security studies at King's College London, remarked, "A 50-year-old Saudi ex-Muslim who lives in East Germany, loves the AfD, and wants to punish Germany for its tolerance towards Islamists - that really wasn't on my radar." German Federal Criminal Police Office President Holger Münch admitted that the case requires further scrutiny to determine whether critical signs were overlooked.
The suspect's professional life is also under review. Al Abdulmohsen worked as a psychiatrist at a correctional facility in Bernburg but had been on leave since October 2024. Reports suggest tensions arose in his dealings with Atheist Refugee Relief, a German NGO aiding asylum seekers, with the organization accusing him of defamation. His critics argue that his publicizing of sensitive asylum cases jeopardized the safety of those he sought to help.
Al Abdulmohsen's attack has reignited debates over Germany's security protocols and immigration policies. Critics have called attention to apparent lapses in addressing the growing threat he posed. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described him as an "Islamophobe," but officials remain cautious in speculating on his motivations, citing the ongoing investigation.
