The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg has claimed a sixth life. A 52-year-old woman who was injured when a man drove a car at high speed through the market has died in the hospital from her injuries.
Five people died at the scene on December 20 when the perpetrator drove into the crowd in the eastern German city: four women and a 9-year-old boy. Initially, around 200 injuries were reported, but this number has been adjusted to nearly 300.
Some individuals reported to the police later or sought medical help on their own. The suspect, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, remains in pretrial detention.
According to the German news agency DPA, based on security service sources, he was involved in seven investigations in the two years prior to the incident. Five times he filed a report, and twice he was a suspect.
The nature of these cases is unknown. The investigation is focusing on the suspect’s mental accountability at the time of the incident.
He is undergoing psychological examination by experts. The role of the police is also under scrutiny.
The suspect was able to drive between a traffic light and a barrier of concrete blocks. The distance between them was 6 meters, while the safety plan stipulated a maximum of 4 meters.
A police car was positioned a few meters away from the designated spot. Additionally, there is an investigation into why escape routes were blocked with steel chains.
Originally from Saudi Arabia, Abdulmohsen drove a rental car through the Christmas market and was immediately arrested. The doctor came to Germany in 2006 and identified as an ex-Muslim critical of Islam.
He expressed support for far-right groups on social media. In 2013, he was convicted for threatening an attack.
Source: NOS