Magdeburg attack suspect had prior police investigations, reports reveal

The suspect behind the deadly vehicle attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market was under the radar of German authorities for more than a year before the tragedy, according to new revelations reported by German media.

Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist originally from Saudi Arabia, was identified as the perpetrator of the Dec. 20 attack, which left five people dead and injured over 200 others. Abdulmohsen, who has lived in Germany since 2006, was arrested two days later.

Media reports revealed that Abdulmohsen had been involved in seven investigations between April 2023 and October 2024. While he was listed as a complainant in five cases, he was also the accused in two.

One investigation stemmed from Abdulmohsen’s posts on the social media platform X on Dec. 1, 2023, where he criticized Germany’s treatment of Saudi asylum seekers and issued threats. Police initiated a risk assessment interview with him in response, informing him he was under surveillance and advising against certain behaviors.

The suspect was also accused of threatening a lawyer who had previously represented him, along with the lawyer’s family and office staff. Despite these accusations, there was no coordination between police and Abdulmohsen’s employer, a hospital in Bernburg where he worked in psychiatric care for individuals with addiction disorders since 2020.

In addition to his criminal record, Abdulmohsen had filed complaints against employees of a refugee association, alleging slander, theft of an external hard drive from a mailbox, and sexual harassment.

The Dec. 20 attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market shocked the country, bringing increased scrutiny to how authorities monitor individuals flagged in prior investigations. Police continue to investigate Abdulmohsen’s motives and actions leading up to the attack.