According to the reports on Sunday (22 December), Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities multiple times about Taleb A., the suspect in the Magdeburg Christmas Market attack that claimed five lives, including a child, and injured 200 people, seven of whom were Indians. Reports suggest that Saudi officials issued four formal notifications, known as “Notes Verbal,” to German intelligence and foreign ministry officials, identifying Taleb as a potential threat. Despite these warnings and prior allegations against him, including attempts to persuade Saudi citizens to abandon their religion, German authorities reportedly ignored the alerts.
The suspect, identified as a 50-year-old psychiatry and psychotherapy specialist, immigrated to Germany from Saudi Arabia in 2006. German media disclosed his name as Taleb A., withholding his last name due to privacy laws. Taleb had been working as a doctor in Bernburg, near Magdeburg. Saudi Arabia had previously requested his extradition between 2007 and 2008, labeling him a fugitive. However, Germany refused the request, citing concerns for his safety if he returned to Saudi Arabia.
Taleb’s online presence revealed his identity as a former Muslim with a history of anti-Islam rhetoric. His social media accounts contained posts criticizing Islam, supporting Muslims who left the faith, and condemning German authorities for not addressing “Islamism in Europe.” He also voiced support for far-right ideologies, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. These actions further underscore the warnings Saudi Arabia issued regarding his radical views.
Following the attack, Saxony-Anhalt Governor Reiner Haseloff reassured the public that Taleb acted alone and posed no ongoing threat. This incident has drawn comparisons to the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, where an extremist killed 13 people. The Magdeburg attack has sparked debates about the effectiveness of intelligence cooperation and the handling of potential threats, highlighting the consequences of overlooked warnings.
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