MAGDEBURG, Dec 22 — German authorities charged the suspect in the deadly attack on a Christmas market that killed five and wounded 200 with numerous counts of murder, attempted murder, and other charges, the police announced early this morning, the German news agency dpa reported.
The suspect, who has been identified as Taleb A. according to German privacy laws, was charged with five counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, and multiple counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm and remains in pre-trial detention, the police said. The man had been brought before a judge yesterday evening.
Among those killed when a car sped through the crowd at the busy festive market on Friday evening was a nine-year-old child, according to the authorities.
Investigators say the suspect acted alone, as there are currently no indications of a second perpetrator according to their findings.
Taleb A. is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia.
The motive for the crime is still unclear, but the suspect may have been unhappy with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany, prosecutors have said.
— Bernama-dpa
