Five Dead In Magdeburg, Germany After Saudi-Born Man Plows Down Holiday Shoppers – Guy D. McCardle

On December 20, the city of Magdeburg, Germany, was rocked by a horrific event when a man deliberately drove his vehicle into a crowd, killing at least five people and injuring over 200 others. The attack raises pressing questions: Was this an act of terrorism, or was it the isolated act of a troubled individual? As investigators sift through the wreckage, the implications extend far beyond Germany, leaving global cities like New York, Paris, and Tokyo to wonder if they could be next.

What Happened in Magdeburg?

In the early evening, a busy pedestrian zone in Magdeburg turned into chaos as a car sped toward a group of holiday shoppers. Witnesses reported hearing the chilling sound of screeching tires before the vehicle plowed through the crowd. The driver, identified as 50-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Authorities quickly ruled out an accident, confirming the act was intentional. But why?

Police have been tight-lipped about the driver’s motives. Early reports suggest no immediate ties to known terrorist organizations, leaving the possibility of mental illness or personal grievances. However, that hasn’t stopped speculation, with some pointing to the eerily similar vehicular attacks carried out by ISIS and other extremist groups across Europe in recent years.

More About the Driver

Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi national, has been identified as the suspect in the recent attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Born in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, in 1974, he moved to Germany in 2006 and was granted refugee status in 2016. A psychiatrist and psychotherapist by profession, he worked in Bernburg, Germany, before the attack. Al-Abdulmohsen has described himself as an aggressive critic of Islam, identifying as a former Muslim turned atheist.

He founded an online platform to assist Saudi Arabian citizens in applying for asylum in Germany and was known for his outspoken views, often sharing anti-Islam content on social media. He also supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, criticizing what he saw as Germany’s lenient stance towards Islam.

In the days leading up to the attack, Al-Abdulmohsen increased his online activity and gave an interview to a right-wing foundation, where he expressed his disapproval of Germany’s refugee policies. Despite his far-right sympathies, he also helped ex-Muslims, particularly women, flee Saudi Arabia, adding a layer of complexity to his profile.

On the day of the attack, he allegedly drove a rented BMW into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, an act that has shocked both the public and terrorism experts, given his background. Al-Abdulmohsen was arrested at the scene by German police. His actions and ideological stance present an unusual case, blending anti-Islam activism, far-right alignment, and a history of aiding others in escaping religious persecution.

Police are searching his home, and some believe he may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.