Accusations of Homicide Leveled Against Individuals from Magdeburg

In a shocking incident that took place on December 20, 2020, a deadly attack occurred at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The General Prosecutor's Office in Naumburg has filed charges against a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, identified as Taleb A., for this heinous crime.

The attack lasted one minute and four seconds, with the vehicle reaching speeds of up to 48 kilometers per hour. Five women aged 45 to 75 and a nine-year-old boy lost their lives in the incident, while a total of 344 people were injured.

Taleb A., who worked as a doctor in the forensic psychiatry department in Bernburg (Salzland district), acted out of dissatisfaction and frustration with the outcome of a civil dispute and the failure of various criminal complaints. Concerns about his mental state were expressed by a colleague a few months before the attack, which were reported to superiors.

The attack was meticulously planned and prepared over several weeks. On the day of the incident, Taleb A. drove a rented car onto the Christmas market, with the intention of killing as many people as possible who came into the path of the vehicle.

The suspect is currently in custody, and a psychiatric evaluation has been commissioned to determine his criminal responsibility. The accused is charged with six counts of murder, attempted murder of 338 people, and causing serious bodily harm.

In response to the tragedy, a temporary structure will be built on a state-owned plot of land in Magdeburg. The responsible authority for the construction of the new intermediate court building is the city's Building Authority (Stadtbauamt). Construction is expected to be completed in September.

The attack has left the community of Magdeburg in mourning, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives. We will continue to follow this story as it develops, and will bring you updates as more information becomes available.