International-News

Germany: Unheeded alert on Al-Abdulmohsen, Saudi doctor indicted for Magdeburg attack

Federal Immigration Office confirms it received a report in 2023. Details emerge on the Magdeburg Christmas market bombing

Germany’s Federal Office for Immigration and Refugees has confirmed that it received a report months ago concerning Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the 50-year-old Saudi doctor now indicted for the Magdeburg Christmas market bombing on Friday night. In a post on X, the office stated that it took the report seriously, but that it was not an investigative body and referred the report to the relevant authorities.

The 2023 report and the police investigation

The head of the immigration office, Holger Münch, interviewed by ZDF, confirmed that the report on Abdulmohsen dates back to 2023. The police of Saxony Anhalt had started checks, but insufficient evidence had emerged at the time. Despite insults and threats from the suspect, there were no reports of violent crimes. Münch admitted that ‘these things should be checked again to see if the security authorities have missed anything’.

The indictment and charges

Al-Abdulmohsen was formally charged with five counts of murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. The attack, which shocked the German city, is now raising questions about the handling of reports and the prevention of such acts.

THE LATEST NEWS