A terror threat that was expected, but not this extreme, has hit Germany just days before Christmas. The far-right is trying to exploit a Saudi Arabian killer’s anti-Islamist murder spree, which has been linked to the killing of a Russian general.
In recent weeks, German officials had warned about a potential terrorist attack on Christmas markets, citing their high-profile targets and lack of security measures. A 2016 incident in west Berlin, where a Tunisian migrant drove a lorry into a market, killing 13 people, highlighted the risk. Since then, security barriers and armed police have become more common at these events.
However, the latest attack took an unexpected turn. A Saudi Arabian national, allegedly linked to the murder of a Russian general, was shot dead in Berlin by a German bystander on Christmas Eve. The incident has raised concerns that far-right extremist groups are seeking to capitalize on anti-Islamist sentiment and the security vacuum created by the government’s response to terrorism.
German politicians have been quick to condemn the attack, but their words ring hollow when considering their own lack of concrete action against extremism. With Christmas celebrations approaching, Germans can only wonder how this will impact their festive season.
Source: https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/12/22/a-horrific-christmas-attack-in-germany-is-weirder-than-expected