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In a tragic incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, five people, including a nine-year-old child, lost their lives following a deadly attack on Friday evening.
A black BMW SUV drove into the crowded market, injuring more than 200 individuals, with at least 41 reported to be in critical condition. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga condemns the attack by the Saudi national, expressing his deep sorrow over the senseless violence that disrupted the festive season. In a heartfelt statement, Raila shares his shock, noting, "Magdeburg holds a special place in my heart; it’s not just a beautiful city, but also the backdrop to my journey as a Mechanical Engineering student."
Raila offered his condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the need for solace and compassion during such challenging times. He calls for unity and tolerance in the face of adversity. Earlier this year, Raila visited Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg, where he pursued his studies. His trip included a stop at the Herder Institute in Leipzig, prompting reflections on his educational experiences in Germany.
He expresses gratitude for the foundational education he received, which he believes has significantly shaped his leadership journey. The Saudi national, identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, has been charged with five counts of murder and over 200 counts of attempted murder. Many of the injured are receiving treatment across 15 medical facilities in the region. Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and sought asylum in 2016, was apprehended shortly after a black BMW SUV he was driving careened through the market at high speed, covering a distance of 400 meters.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as the vehicle struck pedestrians, lifting some into the air while others were run over. In the aftermath of the attack, forensic scientists are exploring whether Abdulmohsen deliberately disabled the emergency braking system of the rented BMW X3 in order to enhance the vehicle's destructive impact. Police and prosecutors have since held press briefings where they confirmed preliminary questioning of Abdulmohsen had taken place but declined to disclose details regarding his motivations.
However, Chief State Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens indicates that Abdulmohsen may have been reacting to the perceived mistreatment of Saudi Arabian refugees in Magdeburg. Despite the city’s security measures, including bollards intended to block unauthorized vehicle access to the market, Abdulmohsen managed to circumvent these barriers by entering through a corridor meant for emergency service vehicles. Nopens noted that prior to the incident, the perpetrator had not been on law enforcement's radar.
Before the attack, Abdulmohsen had expressed violent sentiments on social media, including a desire to assassinate former Chancellor Angela Merkel, whom he accused of contributing to the "Islamisation of Europe" through her open-door refugee policy implemented in 2015. His criticism of Islam and subsequent renunciation of his faith had reportedly led to social isolation, leaving him feeling estranged from friends and family. Patients at a clinic in southern Magdeburg, where he worked as a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist, had labelled him a "bad person" for his stance.
Saudi authorities have claimed to have alerted German officials multiple times regarding Abdulmohsen as a potential threat; however, it remains unclear whether these warnings were taken seriously.