Saudi suspect of German Christmas market attack had 'anti-Islam views': Report

As the authorities investigate the attack that jolted the German town of Magdeburg, reports are emerging that the Saudi man, who was the main suspect in the attack, had expressed anti-Islam views. At least 2 people were killed and 68 were injured after a car rammed into the crowd at a Christmas market.

Following the attack, police identified Taleb al-Abdulmohsen as the main suspect of the attack. The 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia came to Germany in 2006 and was awarded a refuge status in 2016. Amid the investigation,  The Washington Post quoted a German official maintaining that Abdulmohsen had shared “anti-Islamic views”. Another anonymous official told the American news outlet that the authorities are searching the suspect’s home and believe that he may be under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.

Abdulmohsen, who lives about 30 miles away in Bernburg, was immediately arrested at the scene. The new revelation became significant since several far-right leaders across Europe pushed anti-immigration and anti-Islam rhetoric after the incident.

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From Wilders to Le Pen, far-right leaders push anti-Islam rhetoric

Far-right Dutch politician Wilders called the incident “barbaric” and said that Europe should close its border. “Another barbaric attack in Europe — this time by a man from Saudi Arabia,” Wilders said. “Once again, an incredible number of innocent victims, dead and wounded, are to be mourned. Once again politicians crying crocodile tears. I’ve been saying it for over 20 years: stop with those open borders," he added.

French far-right politician, Marine Le Pen also took potshots at the rise in “Islamism” across Europe. “Once again, Islamist barbarity is sowing terror in the heart of Europe. This act of war against a symbol of our civilisation is heartbreaking,” Le Pen said, adding: “Our thoughts this evening are with the victims and families of this carnage perpetrated in the middle of the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany.”

Meanwhile, British politician Nigel Farage also blamed the violence on border policies. “We have allowed people who hate us and our values into Europe. Christmas is their target. Any guesses why?” Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been increasingly supporting the rightwing European leaders later reposted Farage’s tweet. Days before the attack, Musk endorsed the German far-right party for the February polls. The Tesla CEO later shared another post in which he called for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him an “incompetent fool”.

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The attack happened after an alarm was raised

Following the incident, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a post on social media that she plans to visit Magdeburg with Chancellor Olaf Scholz “to express our deepest condolences and to thank the emergency services.” “We fear for the lives of the seriously injured and mourn for the people who were taken from their lives by this terrible act,” she said.

Last month, Faeser called for “great vigilance” at Christmas markets, a popular holiday tradition across Europe. “Federal security authorities do not currently have any concrete indications of danger,” she said in an interview with DW. “But in view of the high threat situation at an abstract level we still have reason to be very vigilant and to take effective action for our security,” she said, pointing to additional security measures, such as a ban on knives at Christmas markets, punishable with a fine of up to about $10,500.