Who is Saudi’s Doctor Taleb? Who carried out a car attack in Germany’s Christmas market?

Germany Car Attack: Recalling the memories of the truck attack in Berlin in 2016, another tragic incident in Germany shocked the country. A speeding car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday evening. At least two people died and dozens of others were injured in this incident. A child is also included among the dead. Officials have indicated that the condition of about 15 of the injured is serious and the death toll may rise.

At the time of the incident, a large number of people were present in the market, who were doing Christmas shopping. The car attack created chaos in the market. Many people fell on the ground, while others started running towards safe places to save themselves. Officials described it as a “deliberate attack on the German population”.

Suspect and investigation
50-year-old Saudi citizen Taleb has been arrested in connection with this attack. He works in the medical field in Bernburg, which is located about 25 miles south of Magdeburg. The personal information of Taleb, a Saudi citizen, is as follows.

• He is a consultant in psychotherapy and psychotherapy.
• Came to Germany in 2006 and received refugee status in 2016.
• Permanent residence permit is also available.
• Suspect’s activities and preliminary investigation
• He had rented a BMW car just before the incident.
• Police have expressed suspicion that there may be explosive material in the car.
• So far, no evidence has been found of his Islamist ties.

Video shows Germany police detaining suspect at gun point after suspected terrorist attack.
Authorities in the German city of #Magdeburg say at least two people were killed and dozens were injured after a car plowed into a busy Christmas market.#Germany pic.twitter.com/D8R85t5ek3

— Kapadia CP 🇮🇳 (@Ckant72) December 21, 2024

Government response and statement
Saxony-Anhalt Governor Rainer Haseloff said that based on preliminary information the attack appeared to be carried out by a single person and that there was no other threat to the city. However, the purpose of the attack is not yet clear.

international response
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with German citizens. However, he did not comment on the arrested suspect. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “The reports coming from Magdeburg are causing serious concern,” he said.

Also read: Germany Car Accident: Attack in Germany’s Christmas market, Saudi doctor drives car into crowd, 2 killed and more than 60 injured