Saudi doctor behind German market attack identified as 'atheist,' 'Zionist'

The driver accused of ramming his car into a crowd at a Christmas market in Germany has been was identified as Saudi citizen Taleb Al Abdulmohsen. Initially portrayed as a Muslim, it was later revealed that he is an atheist and a pro-Israel activist.

Taleb Al Abdulmohsen is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist who has been living in Germany since 2006. He was reportedly granted refugee status in 2016.

Unverified reports claim that Saudi Arabia requested Germany to extradite Taleb, but the request was allegedly declined on humanitarian grounds.

Taleb's social media activity reveals several anti-Islam posts and vocal support for the right-wing German party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), known for its extreme stance against Muslims.

According to the Daily Mail, Taleb shared videos on social media prior to the attack, in which he expressed resentment over what he described as "persecution" in Germany for his anti-Islam rhetoric.

A tragic incident unfolded in the central German city of Magdeburg when a car drove into a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas market, claiming the lives of two people, including a child, and inj*ring more than 60 others.

A regional government spokesperson has described the incident as a "terror attack."

According to reports from German authorities, two fatalities have been confirmed, while 68 others sustained injuries, with 15 individuals currently in critical condition.

Local media, citing government sources, stated that the driver of the vehicle has been detained by the police. The Christmas market was immediately shut down, and emergency services rushed to the scene to assist the victims.

Eyewitnesses reported that a BMW sped through the crowd for a distance of approximately 400 meters before coming to a halt.

Premier of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as "horrific, especially just days before Christmas," before departing for Magdeburg to assess the situation personally.

“As things stand, he is a lone perpetrator, so as far as we know, there is no further danger to the city,” Reiner Haseloff said.

Magdeburg, located west of Berlin, is the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and has a population of 224,000.