Security at German trade fair where attack occurred is questionable
German media said city authorities remained silent about security failures after the attack in Magdeburg. There was also information that the suspect had passed through a 5-meter gap where a police car was supposed to be. A 50-year-old man plowed into a crowd at high speed at a Christmas market on Friday. The attack killed five people, including a nine-year-old boy and four women.
According to Germany's Bild newspaper, Magdeburg's Christmas market was heavily guarded against cars. However, it is unclear where the police car that was supposed to protect one of the pieces of the security fence was located.
This was a gap of approximately 5 meters between the restrictions and was not blocked by police cars.
Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Tamara Zeeshan avoided answering a question from parliamentarians during a debate in the state parliament about a “mobile barrier” that could have prevented the accident.
“Doesn't the public deserve answers?” – the newspaper asked in this regard.
Germany. Did a mistake allow the attack in Magdeburg? Media coverage of vulnerabilities
On the night of December 20th, a car driven by Taleb Abdul Javad, 50, from Saudi Arabia, crashed into a crowd at high speed at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany. The attack left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy and four women aged between 45 and 75. More than 200 people were injured.
According to German media, Taleb Abdul-Javad was known for his criticism of Islam and his sympathies with the right-wing populist party AfD. He is currently in custody.
See: Attack on Magdeburg Christmas Market. The perpetrator's professional ability is questioned
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged society to unite, stressing that “hate and violence must not determine the end.''
“After the events in Magdeburg, there is sadness, pain, fear and embarrassment. These emotions are understandable, but they cannot control or paralyze us. We cannot separate ourselves. Let us unite,” he said in his Christmas speech.
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