Motive behind car attack that injured 36 in German city of Munich still not clear
German authorities are investigating a car attack that injured 36 people in Munich, with preliminary findings suggesting no connection to a terror group despite possible religious motivations.
The incident occurred Thursday when a car plowed into a crowd in the city center where members of a trade union had gathered for a demonstration. The car’s driver, a 24-year-old Afghan national, was quickly apprehended by the police at the scene.
Senior Public Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann told a press conference in Munich that the suspect was working for a security firm and had no criminal record, correcting previous reports that claimed he was involved in drug offenses and petty crimes.
“The criminal offense of terrorism does not exist,” Tilmann also said. “ We see no connection at all between him and a terrorist organization at the moment,” she added.
However, the prosecutor said initial questioning of the suspect, along with an examination of his mobile phone, suggested he had deliberately driven into the crowd, potentially driven by religious extremist beliefs.
Scholz pledges tougher stance
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, facing a Feb. 23 election, condemned the attack on Thursday and promised that Social Democrats will take a firmer stance against foreign criminal offenders who abuse their right to stay in the country.
Scholz emphasized that the attacker must face punishment and subsequent deportation.
“Anyone who commits crimes in Germany will not only face severe punishment and imprisonment but must also expect to lose their right to remain in Germany,” Scholz said, adding that officials will continue to explore options and take steps to enable deportations to countries like Afghanistan.
The domestic debate about immigration and deportations to Syria and Afghanistan has intensified following several attacks in recent months. Most perpetrators were asylum seekers who were rejected or religious extremists whose deportations were prevented by legal constraints or security concerns in their home countries.
Right-wing parties have made migration, failed deportations and recent violent incidents their top election campaign issue, which has led to a climate of fear and xenophobia, resulting in increased hate crimes against legal immigrants and Germans with migrant backgrounds.
