Who is Saudi doctor arrested in Germany's Christmas market attack
A 50-year-old doctor of Saudi Arabian origin has been arrested after a speeding car rammed into a busy crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday. The suspect, identified as Taleb A, has been living in Germany since 2006 and was granted refugee status in 2016, according to officials. He is a psychiatrist by profession and an atheist who has reportedly faced persecution in his adopted country.
Attack details and aftermath
Taleb is accused of speeding his BMW through the packed market, killing two and injuring over 60. Video footage from the scene shows police arresting him next to the wrecked car. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences after the incident, saying it "raises the worst fears." The motive behind this attack remains unclear; however, regional officials suspect it was deliberate. They have assured the public that Taleb A acted alone and poses no further threat to public safety.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack, US offers assistance
While the Saudi foreign ministry has condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Germany, it has refrained from commenting on Taleb's arrest. The incident comes after previous warnings that Christmas markets could be potential targets for Islamist-motivated attacks. The US State Department has offered assistance in recovery efforts after the incident. Elon Musk criticized Chancellor Scholz's handling of the situation and voiced support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Investigation underway, public safety assured
The suspect had rented the car shortly before the attack and had no known Islamist background. The incident bears a chilling resemblance to a 2016 attack where an extremist drove through a Berlin Christmas market, killing 13 people and injuring numerous others. The Magdeburg market was shut after the incident.
