German authorities have identified a 48-year-old Saudi doctor as the suspect in the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg that killed five people and injured 41 others. The suspect, who received permanent residency in Germany in 2006, does not fit the typical profile of extremist attack perpetrators.
According to police, the suspect was a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy, but had expressed support for far-right anti-immigrant groups on social media. He is being held in custody as authorities investigate him.
The suspect had been under scrutiny by authorities due to threatening behavior and made headlines after threatening members of the state medical association with an act that would attract international attention. In 2013, he was found guilty of threatening an attack.
An investigation began last year when German authorities received tipoffs from Saudi Arabia and other countries about the suspect’s suspicious behavior. The Central Council of Ex-Muslims said the suspect had “terrorized” them for years with his far-right ideology.
Four women aged 45 to 75, as well as a 9-year-old boy, were killed in the attack. Authorities say that while the suspect does not fit typical profiles of extremist attackers, he shares some ideological similarities. Police are still investigating the motives behind the attack.
The incident has raised concerns about security and migration policies in Germany, with right-wing figures from across Europe criticizing authorities for allowing high levels of migration and security failures. The country is heading towards an early election on February 23.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/germany-christmas-market-attack-magdeburg-f14b036514e9ae2d4ca013cf45eac18f