Doctor turned assailant leaves a trail of tragedy in Magdeburg
The perpetrator of the attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, which resulted in at least two deaths and numerous injuries, is a doctor and anti-Islamist who came to Germany in 2006 from Saudi Arabia, report German media and the British BBC.
Media reports indicate that the attacker had a negative attitude towards Islamists. As "Spiegel" points out, he assisted former Muslims, especially women, in leaving Saudi Arabia after they renounced religious orthodoxy.
According to the Tagesspiegel portal, in June he accused the German police of being the "real engine" of Islamism in Germany. The BBC also notes that the suspect "was critical of Islam."
Analysis of his social media revealed that on the X portal, he supported the anti-immigration party AfD and also posted comments supporting, among others, Elon Musk.
The 50-year-old specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy from the Saudi city of Hofuf moved to Germany in 2006 and lived in Bernburg. Since 2016, he has been recognised as a refugee.
Tragedy at the market
The attack occurred on Friday just after 6 PM Greenwich Time. The assailant drove into a crowd of people who had gathered at the Christmas market. According to local police, officers managed to detain the attacker.
Footage of the moment the suspect was detained quickly spread on social media. It shows the man lying on the pavement next to a black car and being surrounded by several police officers. The officers instruct witnesses not to approach the scene.
According to the latest information, two people, including a child, died in the attack, and dozens were injured.
