A tragic attack occurred in downtown Munich when an Afghan asylum seeker drove a car into a group of trade union demonstrators, injuring at least 28 people. Authorities are treating the incident as a suspected attack, and the driver, a 24-year-old man known to the police for theft and drug offenses, has been taken into custody.
Suspect’s Background and Criminal Record
According to reports, the suspect arrived in Germany in 2016 and had his asylum application rejected. However, his deportation was suspended under a “tolerance” permit, allowing him to remain in the country despite the rejection. Law enforcement confirmed that he had prior encounters with the police for theft and drug-related crimes.
Eyewitness Accounts and Police Response
Eyewitnesses described the attack as intentional, with the car accelerating before plowing into the rally. One witness reported, “I was participating in the demonstration when the vehicle suddenly hit the crowd. I saw a man trapped beneath it. I attempted to open the car door, but it was locked. Then, the police arrived and fired at the car window before arresting the driver.”
A police officer fired a single shot before detaining the suspect, ensuring no further threat to public safety.
Timing and Security Concerns
The incident took place just hours before the Munich Security Conference, an event expected to host international figures, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite concerns, police have stated there is no indication that the attack was connected to the conference.
To ensure security, Munich police have deployed 5,000 officers to safeguard both the demonstration participants and conference attendees. Police spokesperson Thomas Schelshorn emphasized, “We have very, very high safety standards, but as we have seen today, there is no such thing as 100% protection.”
As investigations continue, authorities aim to determine the full motive behind the attack and ensure public safety measures remain stringent.
