A 51-year-old Saudi doctor, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, stood trial on Monday in Magdeburg, Germany, facing charges of murder and attempted murder following a devastating car-ramming attack on a Christmas market last December. The attack, which lasted just over a minute, claimed the lives of five women and a boy, leaving many others injured. The defendant, transported to a specially constructed courtroom by helicopter, was seated behind bulletproof glass as proceedings began. Prosecutors allege that al-Abdulmohsen acted out of personal frustration, deliberately targeting as many people as possible to gain attention. The trial, expected to continue until March, could result in a life sentence if he is convicted. Investigators revealed that the attack was carried out using a rented BMW X3, reaching speeds of up to 48 kph (30 mph). They noted that the suspect was not under the influence of alcohol and appeared to have acted alone, motivated by dissatisfaction with a legal dispute and failed criminal complaints. Al-Abdulmohsen, who arrived in Germany in 2006 and held permanent residency, described himself as an ex-Muslim critical of Islam and expressed far-right sympathies on social media. Despite previous threats, he had no history of violent acts. The incident has reignited debates on migration in Germany, particularly in the lead-up to the national election in February.
Murder trial of suspect in Christmas market car-ramming attack opens in Germany
