A 24-year-old Afghan suspect has confessed to intentionally driving into a crowd of demonstrators in Munich, according to prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann. The suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) during the incident, Tilmann added.
The suspect is being investigated on 36 counts of attempted murder, bodily harm, and dangerous interference with road traffic. Officials confirmed that the number of injured individuals has risen to 36.
Tilmann stated, “He has admitted that he deliberately drove into the participants of the demonstration.” While cautioning against hasty conclusions, she suggested that the crime may have been motivated by Islamist extremism.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the attack site in central Munich and participated in a moment of silence. He expressed shock at the brutality of the crime, noting that children were among the injured, some critically. Steinmeier vowed that the perpetrator would face legal consequences.
The suspect, who arrived in Germany in 2016 as an asylum seeker, held a valid residency permit and had no prior criminal record. He was employed, paid health and social insurance, and lived in a rented apartment in Munich.
Authorities examined the suspect’s phone and social media accounts, finding mostly sports-related content on Instagram, alongside occasional religious posts.
