Tragedy strikes Magdeburg: Saudi doctor behind market attack
There are more recordings appearing online of the attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. Some of them show the moment the attacker is apprehended. The perpetrator was kneeling by his car while the police officers aimed a gun at him. "Lie down! Lie down!" the German officers shouted at him.
Yesterday (20th December), a terrorist attack occurred at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. A 50-year-old man of Saudi origin drove a car into the crowd.
Two people were killed in the attack (including a small child), and 70 were injured. The perpetrator was successfully apprehended. In the footage available online, you can see the police arresting the man, aiming a weapon at him.
The perpetrator was kneeling in front of his BMW when the German officers aimed guns at him. In the background, you can hear shouts of "lie down, lie down." Soon, a special police vehicle arrived, and the officers commenced the arrest.
The officers surrounded the bearded man and subdued him. After the arrest, the perpetrator was taken in the direction of the investigative detention centre. The footage shows that his car was significantly damaged in the attack.
Who is the perpetrator? A Saudi doctor
The BBC and the dpa agency reported yesterday that the perpetrator is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia. The man lives in Bernburg (Saale) and works in a hospital. He has been in Germany since 2006.
He had no prior legal issues, was not known to the authorities, and did not attract attention. He was not suspected of planning terrorist acts or having contacts with Islamic terrorist organisations.
In the footage available online, it is evident that the perpetrator deliberately drove into the crowd gathered at the German market. Officers from Magdeburg stated that there were no traces of braking at the scene.
