She declined to provide further details on the suspect’s political affiliations, citing the ongoing investigation.
Authorities said the death toll from the incident has risen to five, with more than 200 people injured. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack and promised financial and psychological support for both victims’ families and survivors.
Police identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian national who works as a psychiatrist in a town located roughly 50 kilometers from Magdeburg. According to officials, he has claimed that he left Islam and supports Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The suspect reportedly criticized the German state for allegedly failing to combat what he sees as the threat of Islamism within the country.
Law enforcement teams are currently searching the man’s residence, and investigators have not ruled out additional arrests or charges as they piece together the motive behind the attack.
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Source: IAR