A deadly attack on an annual Christmas market in the central Germany city of Magdeburg left five people, including a nine-year-old boy, dead. Another 205 people were injured when a car sped into the crowd on Friday evening, December 20.
Officials say the suspected attacker accessed the market by using a rescue exit that did not have barricades and was able to drive for a full three minutes before police were able to stop and arrest him.
The suspect, was identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor. al-Abdulmohsen is a Saudi refugee who came to Germany in 2006 and openly campaigned against Islam, criticized the immigration policies in Berlin, according to reports in the German media.
Reports say the Saudi government told Germany about his “very extreme views. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the attacker must be punished and said the incident would be investigated in depth.
Locals paid homage to the victims and injured at the closed Magdeburg Christmas market with flowers, candles and messages of support.