German market attack latest: Suspect made 2013 threat, minister reveals, as more rallies planned tonight

The suspect in the German Christmas market attack that killed five people had “threatened to do something that would attract international attention” in 2013.

A state interior minister has revealed he was flagged as a potential threat the following year and was fined, after a search of his property and an investigation found no evidence he was preparing to carry out an act.

Law enforcement in Germany is facing criticisms over security and intelligence failure after the Saudi national rammed a car into a crowd at a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, which has injured over 200 people.

German interior minister Nancy Faeser and the heads of intelligence services are expected to answer questions at parliamentary committee hearings on 30 December.

German authorities social media said it received a tip in late summer 2023, which was “taken seriously”. Police said in a dispute over the recognition of examination results, the suspect threatened members of the state medical association with an act that would attract international attention.

Authorities named the nine-year-old boy who was among five people killed, as thousands of pounds were raised for his grieving family.

Source » independent.co.uk