German prosecutors have charged a 50-year-old Saudi-born doctor with six counts of murder, 338 counts of attempted murder, and 309 counts of bodily harm following the deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg on December 20, 2024
The attack, which lasted just over a minute, left five women and a young boy dead while injuring dozens more.
According to investigators, the suspect, who had lived in Germany since 2006 and held permanent residency, deliberately drove a rented BMW X3 into the crowded market.
Prosecutors say the suspect, whose name has not been released due to German privacy laws, was not under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Instead, they believe he carried out the attack out of “dissatisfaction and frustration” over the outcome of a civil law dispute and failed criminal complaints. He had reportedly planned the rampage for several weeks.
While the attack bore similarities to previous extremist assaults in Europe, officials noted the man did not fit the profile of Islamist extremists.
In fact, he described himself as an ex-Muslim, was highly critical of Islam, and had shown support for far-right groups on social media.
Authorities confirmed that he acted alone and without accomplices.
The case has now been filed with the Magdeburg state court, which will decide whether it proceeds to trial. If convicted, the suspect faces a maximum life sentence.
The attack stunned Germany, reviving painful memories of the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack and sparking renewed discussions about security at public events during the holiday season.