German authorities announced on Saturday evening that five men have been arrested for allegedly planning a car-ramming terrorist attack on a Christmas market in the state of Bavaria, averting what officials described as a potentially mass-casualty incident.
The arrests come one year after a deadly attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, which intensified security concerns across Germany amid broader debates on migration and public safety.
Islamist Motive Suspected
According to a joint statement by police and prosecutors, the suspects include one Egyptian national, three Moroccan nationals, and one Syrian national, all arrested on Friday. Investigators said they suspect an Islamist motive behind the planned attack.
The 56-year-old Egyptian suspect, identified by Bild newspaper as an imam at a mosque in the Dingolfing-Landau district near Munich, is believed to have planned to use a vehicle to kill or injure as many people as possible at a Christmas market.
The three Moroccan suspects, aged 22, 28, and 30, allegedly agreed to carry out the attack, while the 27-year-old Syrian suspect is accused of encouraging and supporting the plan.
All five suspects appeared before a judge and were placed in pretrial detention.
Security Services Praised for Preventing the Attack
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann praised the “excellent cooperation between security services”, emphasizing that their coordinated efforts prevented a potentially devastating attack with possible Islamist motivations.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact location or timing of the planned attack, nor where the arrests took place, citing ongoing security considerations.
Heightened Security at Christmas Markets
Germany’s traditional Christmas markets—visited by millions each year—have been under strict security measures since the 2016 Islamist attack in Berlin, which killed 13 people.
Last year’s car-ramming attack in Magdeburg, which left six people dead and more than 300 injured, once again pushed security to the forefront. The perpetrator, Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, a Saudi national, is currently on trial.
Political and Social Impact
That attack reignited national debates over immigration and internal security, especially during an election period marked by a series of violent incidents. In February’s parliamentary elections, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party placed second for the first time, underscoring the political fallout of security concerns.
Despite reinforced security—such as concrete barriers painted in festive colors—some cities, including Overath near Cologne, have cancelled Christmas markets due to the high cost of protective measures.
Economic Importance of Christmas Markets
Last year alone, more than 7,000 Christmas markets across Germany attracted around 170 million visitors, generating approximately €4.2 billion in revenue, averaging €25 per visitor—highlighting both their cultural and economic significance.
