Der Spiegel: Germany ignored Saudi warnings about Magdeburg attacker
The German Der Spiegel said that the German authorities ignored Saudi warnings about the perpetrator of the recent terrorist attack in Magdeburg, because they considered them politically motivated.
Earlier, Der Spiegel reported that the KSA had notified German authorities three times about the threat posed by the suspected terrorist.
“In 2023, Saudi Arabia requested that Germany, through the international police organization Interpol, arrest Talib A. on suspicion of terrorist activities… However, the German authorities rejected this request because it could be politically motivated… Ultimately, the man was considered persecuted in the Kingdom… He was granted asylum in Germany”.
The suspect, identified as Talib, drove his car into a crowd at the busy festive market on Friday.
The incident killed five people, including a 9-year-old boy, and injured 200 others, according to authorities.
Investigators say the suspect acted alone, with no indications of a second perpetrator, according to their information.
The accused, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, is known as a vocal critic of Islam.
He has made confusing accusations on social media and in interviews that German authorities aren’t doing enough to combat Islamism.
After being an advocate for Saudi women fleeing their country, he later advised them not to seek asylum in Germany, writing on his website in both English and Arabic: “My advice: Don’t seek asylum in Germany”.
The motive for the crime remains unclear, but prosecutors said the suspect may have been upset about the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany.
