Germany Warned Three Times About Potential Terrorism

The German magazine Der Spiegel reports that German law enforcement received three warnings from Saudi authorities regarding Taleb A., who had carried out a terrorist attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. The contents of these warnings have not been disclosed.

Additionally, in December 2023, the Saxony-Anhalt criminal department received a complaint related to Taleb A.'s posts on social media, where he issued threats against Germany, linking them to the alleged persecution of Saudi refugees. However, after analyzing those communications, officials concluded that there was no real threat.

Taleb A., a 50-year-old citizen of Saudi Arabia, has been residing in Germany since 2006, holding refugee status granted in 2016, and worked as a doctor in Bernburg. According to Der Spiegel, he was a prominent figure in the Saudi diaspora in Germany and openly supported the right-wing Alternative for Germany party, even planning a joint project to create a "former Muslims' academy." Despite numerous threats of violence on social media, law enforcement agencies took no appropriate measures.

The day before, a BMW X3 vehicle speedily crashed into visitors at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. As a result of the incident, five people sustained life-threatening injuries, and dozens were affected.