A chilling and deadly attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, has been linked to a 50-year-old Saudi doctor identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen. Authorities are investigating the incident as a suspected terror attack, with reports revealing a dark history of anti-Islam activism and right-wing extremist views behind the driver’s motive.
Taleb A’s troubling background
Taleb A, a refugee from Saudi Arabia, was granted asylum in Germany in 2016, after fleeing his home country years earlier. He sought refuge from what he perceived as an oppressive Islamic government, reported Daily Mail.
Upon settling in Bernburg, Germany, Taleb A worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, living a relatively quiet life until his views began to take a more disturbing turn.
According to The Guardian, Taleb became a prominent figure within the Saudi expatriate community in Germany, using his platform to express vehement opposition to Islam and advocate for women’s rights. His personal website and social media channels were heavily focused on critiquing what he believed was the dangerous tolerance of radical Islam by the German government.
Previous media reports suggest he had worked to help ex-Muslims, particularly women, to flee Saudi Arabia after turning their backs on the religion.
Radical views and social media activity
In one particularly inflammatory post, he warned potential refugees against coming to Germany, claiming that the country was too lenient toward Islam. Taleb A’s radical views extended to pro-Israel sentiments, which he posted following the deadly October 7th terror attack.
Analysis of his social media reveals tweets in support of Germany’s anti-immigration party AfD, while he has also made comments supporting Elon Musk, far-right activist Tommy Robinson, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
Reports from the New York Post indicate that his online activity intensified days before the attack, with social media posts railing against the German government for promoting what he called the “Islamization” of Europe. He also claimed that authorities were suppressing his free speech due to his controversial opinions.
The account’s bio reads: ‘Saudi Military Opposition. Germany chases female Saudi asylum seekers, inside and outside Germany, to destroy their lives. Germany wants to islamize Europe.’
Posts include retweets of graphic videos, including one of a young Muslim woman purportedly being stoned to death ‘because she had an affair with a young man outside of marriage.’
Another was a retweet of a post that simply read: “Can you find one positive thing about Islam?”
In videos posted hours before the attack, he claimed that German authorities were opening his mail and stealing items including a USB stick.
“I consider the Germans, as citizens, responsible for the persecution I am facing,” he said in one video.
“Currently in this country, the nation that is actively criminally chasing Islam critics is the German nation”, he said in another.
He also appears to be a fan of AfD. In June, he retweeted party leader Alice Weidel, writing with typos: “The left are crazy. We need the AfD to protect the police from them.”
He also retweeted the right-wing extremist AfD activist Naomi Seibt with the following quote: “Tyranny is based on the docility of cowards. I choose to be brave.”
Escalating radicalization and pre-attack warnings
Reports from Saudi and UAE sources have further complicated the narrative, suggesting that Taleb A was a fugitive from Saudi Arabia, accused of treason. German officials had reportedly rejected extradition requests from Riyadh, citing human rights concerns.
This refusal to extradite him has led to public outcry, with critics claiming that the act of granting asylum in exchange for future violence represents a devastating failure in European immigration policy.
The Attack: Deadly rampage through the Christmas Market
At least two people, including a young child, were killed and dozens more injured when Taleb A drove his black BMW at high speed through a Christmas market in Magdeburg, striking innocent bystanders in a harrowing rampage.
The car was driven at least 400 meters (1,300 feet) through the Christmas market, as reported by Bild. Emergency services, including around 100 firefighters and 50 rescue personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Shocked eyewitnesses described the scene as turning into “war-like conditions,” with people fleeing in all directions to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Videos from eyewitnesses showed the car speeding through the crowded market, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Arrest and immediate aftermath
As police raced to the scene, Taleb A was quickly apprehended, his arrest captured in distressing footage circulating online. A police officer is seen aiming a drawn weapon at the suspect, who lay motionless on the ground, near the wrecked vehicle. Shocked bystanders watched as authorities took him into custody.
Police operations and speculation on intentions
German authorities have said that they suspect the attack was a deliberate act. Authorities in Magdeburg, including spokespersons Matthias Schuppe and Michael Reif, indicated that they are working on piecing together the details of the event.
The local police also confirmed that an explosive device was found in the vehicle, reported Daily Mail. Regional security measures have been tightened, and hospitals in nearby cities, including Halle, have been prepared for potential additional casualties.
The attack, occurring just one day after the anniversary of the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack — which claimed 12 lives — has sparked renewed fears of terrorist acts in Germany. The suspect’s background as an outspoken critic of Islam and his affiliation with right-wing causes have raised concerns over the possible political motives behind the attack.
Condemnation and reactions from global leaders
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his concern in a post to social media, saying: “The reports from Magdeburg suggest something bad. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.” Germany’s Interior Minister also condemned the attack, offering thoughts for the victims while vowing that authorities would continue to investigate the background of the attack.
Saudi Arabia, where the attacker was from, condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with Germany. The UK’s Foreign Office has also expressed its concern, offering condolences to the victims and stating that they are closely monitoring the situation.