Ignored Saudi warnings: Germany faces backlash over market attack suspect

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Dec 23, 2024, 15:39 IST

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A Saudi-born psychiatrist drove an SUV into a German Christmas market, killing five and injuring over 200. Saudi Arabia had warned Germany about the suspect's extremist views multiple times, but German authorities failed to act. The attack has sparked outrage and raised questions about Germany's security protocols and the handling of intelligence warnings.

Ignored Saudi warnings: Germany faces backlash over market attack suspect

People gather to lay flowers and light candles at the entrance of Johannis church near the Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany.

Saudi Arabia issued multiple warnings to Germany about Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the man accused of driving into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring over 200. Despite these alerts, German authorities seemingly failed to act on the information provided, sparking intense scrutiny and calls for accountability.
Driving the news
The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi-born psychiatrist, was arrested at the scene of the attack last Friday. Saudi authorities revealed that they had issued four "Notes Verbal" warnings about al-Abdulmohsen since 2023, describing his extremist views and potential threats. Three of these warnings were sent to Germany’s intelligence services, and one was directed to the foreign ministry in Berlin. The Saudis claim there was no response from German officials.
This negligence has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of Germany's intelligence and law enforcement systems. The warnings were reportedly linked to al-Abdulmohsen’s inflammatory social media posts, which included threats against Germany and expressions of support for far-right conspiracy theories.

The attack and its fallout

The Christmas market attack in Magdeburg was devastating. A rented BMW SUV plowed through the crowded market in just three minutes, leaving behind a scene of carnage. Four women, aged 45, 52, 67, and 75, and a nine-year-old boy were killed. Among the 200 injured, 41 remain in critical condition.
The attack has sparked widespread mourning and anger. A sea of flowers and candles now adorns the steps of St John’s Church near the market, as residents grapple with the tragedy.
At the same time, far-right groups have seized the incident to amplify anti-immigration rhetoric. A rally in Magdeburg on Saturday drew over 2,000 protesters chanting slogans like “Migration kills.”
Al-Abdulmohsen’s life paints a portrait of contradiction. Born in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, he left Islam, renouncing the religion publicly—a rare and dangerous move in his home country.
The suspect was known to hold anti-Islam and far-right views, identifying himself as an ex-Muslim and a critic of Islam’s influence in Europe. On social media, he frequently voiced support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and shared conspiracy theories about the "Islamisation" of Europe.
He became an advocate for Saudi women seeking asylum in Europe, founding a controversial platform to aid their escapes. German NGOs, however, distanced themselves from him, citing erratic behavior and a fixation on anti-Islam conspiracy theories.
His online presence grew darker in recent years, featuring threats against German citizens and support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Why it matters

The attack has reopened debates about migration policies, security failures, and Germany's approach to integrating asylum seekers. Al-Abdulmohsen was granted asylum in 2016, a year after former Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed over a million refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East. He had been living in Germany since 2006 and was granted permanent residency, despite his growing radicalism.
The suspect’s profile has further complicated the narrative. Unlike past attacks carried out by jihadists, al-Abdulmohsen was ideologically opposed to Islam and aligned himself with far-right beliefs. This atypical profile has made it harder for authorities to pinpoint a clear motive.
Interior minister Nancy Faeser described him as an “Islamophobe” whose actions mimicked the cruelty of an Islamist terrorist but were rooted in his hostility to Islam. German officials now face the difficult task of piecing together his complex ideological motivations.
Moreover, the fallout from the attack extends beyond Germany. It raises concerns about international intelligence-sharing and the trustworthiness of warnings from authoritarian regimes. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the case may lead to greater scrutiny of its claims about dissidents abroad, particularly given its history of silencing critics.
For many Germans, the attack has shattered the sense of safety typically associated with Christmas markets. As mourners continue to pay their respects in Magdeburg, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and unpredictable nature of modern threats.

Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens? … If anyone knows it, please let me know.

Taleb al-Abdulmohsen

Between the lines
The inaction by German authorities could partly stem from mistrust of Saudi Arabia’s intentions. Saudi Arabia has a history of targeting dissidents abroad, and its warnings about al-Abdulmohsen may have been seen as politically motivated. The suspect founded a controversial website helping Saudi women flee the kingdom and openly criticized the Saudi government’s human rights record, which may have contributed to German skepticism.

However, Saudi officials maintain that their concerns were valid and focused on al-Abdulmohsen's potential threat to public safety. According to a Saudi government source, the suspect was flagged as early as 2007 for radical views and potential involvement in criminal activities, including allegations of human trafficking. Despite this, German officials dismissed requests for his extradition, citing concerns over his safety in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Abdulmohsen’s erratic behavior also raised red flags domestically. In 2013, he was fined for making threats to commit crimes. Earlier this year, he was investigated for misuse of emergency calls after a heated argument with Berlin police. Despite these incidents, authorities did not categorize him as a violent threat.
The big picture
The Magdeburg attack underscores the challenges of balancing human rights concerns with national security. Germany’s decision to grant asylum to al-Abdulmohsen reflects its commitment to protecting individuals fleeing persecution. Yet, the failure to act on credible warnings raises questions about the country’s ability to manage risks associated with its open-door policies.
The case also highlights the growing complexity of extremist threats. Al-Abdulmohsen’s profile defies traditional categorizations, blending elements of far-right ideology with grievances tied to his experiences as an ex-Muslim dissident. This “mixed, unstable, or unclear” threat category, as some experts describe it, presents new challenges for intelligence agencies worldwide.
What’s next

The German government has promised a thorough investigation. Interior minister Faeser announced that the heads of the domestic and foreign intelligence services will testify before parliamentary committees next week. Authorities aim to uncover how warnings about al-Abdulmohsen were handled and why he was not deemed a threat despite clear signs of radicalization.
The investigation will also examine security lapses at the Magdeburg market. The suspect exploited an emergency access route to drive into the crowd, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in event security. Local officials have defended the market's layout, arguing that emergency access routes are essential and were guarded by police. However, calls for tighter security measures are growing louder.
The attack has also intensified the political climate in Germany ahead of federal elections in February. Immigration and public safety, already contentious issues, are now at the forefront of the national debate. Opposition parties are using the incident to criticize the government’s handling of migration and security.
Far-right politicians, particularly from the AfD, have been quick to capitalize on the attack. Meanwhile, leftist leaders have demanded answers about why warnings from Saudi Arabia and domestic agencies were ignored.

(With inputs from agencies)

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