German authorities have confirmed that the Afghan suspect of a car ramming attack in central Munich, which injured at least 36 people, had an “Islamist” motive. Prosecutors announced that the 24-year-old asylum seeker, Farhad N., will face charges of attempted murder.
Lead prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann said that police discovered internet communications pointing towards Islamic extremism. But they could not find any direct links to jihad groups like ISIS or co-conspirators. The suspect prayed and screamed “Allahu Akbar” when police apprehended him, according to reports.
The attack occurred as a trade union rally, part of the final leg of Germany’s election campaign, was in progress. Farhad N. purportedly crashed a police cordon with his Mini Cooper, drove at high speed, and purposely crashed into a 1,500-strong column of protesters. Of the injured victims, two are critical, one of them a two-year-old.
The theatrical occurrence has fueled immigration and public safety discussions, especially as Germany goes to the polls on February 23. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has faced criticism for his border strategy, assured the suspect would face justice and be deported upon completion of his sentence. But he conceded there were legal barriers in deporting individuals to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel spoke out against the immigration policy of Germany, insisting the attacker “would never have entered the country” were the AfD in power. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in contrast, traveled to the attack scene and left a white rose in tribute.
Farhad N, who arrived in Germany via Italy in 2016, was initially denied asylum but later received temporary residency. Investigators also found potential extremist messages on his phone, including a cryptic note sent a day before the attack, reading “Maybe tomorrow I’ll no longer be here.”
