German security authorities admitted that they had received information last year about the suspected perpetrator of the deadly attack at a Christmas market, but said that investigations had indicated he did not pose a risk.
However, counter-terrorism experts argue that German authorities failed to properly investigate the case and should have implemented stronger security measures around the Christmas market.
Police in Magdeburg said on Sunday that four adults and one child were killed in the attack. Authorities stated that 200 people were injured, including 41 in critical condition.
The head of the Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Münch, said in an interview with German television channel ZDF that “his office had received a notification from Saudi Arabia in November 2023, and appropriate investigative measures were taken.”
“He was known to the authorities, having made offensive comments and occasional threats, but there was no information indicating violent acts,” Münch said about the suspect.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany also confirmed on Saturday in a post on the social network “X” that it had received information about the suspect at the end of last summer.
“This information was taken seriously, like any other information that comes in,” the office reported.
Saudi security sources claimed they had warned Germany about the suspect and had requested his extradition, but Berlin did not respond.
“It is very clear that there were several shortcomings among Germany’s security authorities, and as a result, this horrific attack could not be prevented. There was a warning from Saudi Arabia, there were warnings within Germany from people who knew him. They had informed the police that the suspected attacker was becoming increasingly strange. And finally, there were failures to provide security, to put up barriers around the Christmas market,” said Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter-Terrorism Project.
Meanwhile, far-right protesters silently marched through the streets of Magdeburg on Saturday evening. Through the social network “Telegram,” they announced they had gathered “against terror.”
