Munich car attack suspect appears to have had ‘Islamist motivation’: prosecutor

The suspect accused of injuring more than 30 people in a car ramming attack in Munich, Germany, has been revealed to have been motivated by Islamic extremism, according to prosecutors. The 24-year-old Afghan, who described himself as a bodybuilder and fitness model, was taken into custody after he drove his Mini Cooper into a labor union demonstration. The incident occurred near the location where world leaders, including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were expected to gather for the Munich Security Conference.

Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann disclosed that the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” to police and prayed following his arrest, leading authorities to believe that there was an Islamist motivation behind the attack. While the suspect did not have any ties to Islamic extremist organizations, he did post content with religious references on social media. The attack resulted in 36 people being injured, and the suspect is now facing charges of attempted murder, bodily harm, and dangerous interference with road traffic.

Investigators discovered a chat conversation in which the suspect mentioned not being there the next day, but there is no evidence of concrete preparations for the attack or any accomplices involved. Despite having no prior criminal record and a valid residence permit, the suspect’s actions have left the German community stunned. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the attack scene to pay his respects and condemn the brutality of the incident.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is expected to be a focus at the Munich Security Conference, where Vice President Vance and President Zelenskyy are scheduled to meet. The incident in Munich serves as a grim reminder of the threat posed by individuals motivated by extremist ideologies. The authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover more details about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the attack.