A 24-year-old Afghan man arrested after driving a car into a labor union demonstration in Munich is suspected of having an Islamic extremist motive behind the attack that injured 39 people. However, authorities claim there’s no evidence he was involved with any radical network.
The suspect, identified only as Farhad N., had recently arrived in Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2016 and lived in Munich before the attack on Thursday. He was arrested after police officers pulled him out of his Mini Cooper following a shootout. The suspect is facing 39 counts of attempted murder, as well as bodily harm and road traffic interference.
Authorities revealed that Farhad N. had posted content with religious references on social media, describing himself as a bodybuilder and fitness model. He reportedly said “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) to police during questioning and then prayed after his arrest.
Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann stated that while there’s no evidence of involvement in an Islamic extremist organization, the suspect’s statements indicate an Islamist motivation. However, investigators found a chat with relatives where Farhad N. wrote “perhaps I won’t be there anymore tomorrow,” which remains unexplained.
The suspect had a valid residence permit and no previous convictions despite having rejected asylum application. Federal prosecutors are taking over the investigation due to its significance, as they deal with national security and terror cases in Germany.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/german-authorities-say-they-are-investigating-possible-islamic-extremist-motive-for-munich-car-ramming-attack