A Saudi doctor received a life sentence in Germany on Friday for causing the deaths of six people and injuring hundreds by driving a rented BMW into a crowd at a historic market in Magdeburg in 2024, just days before Christmas. The defendant, known as Taleb A. due to privacy laws, was a psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia with a history of expressing anti-Islamic views and far-right sympathies.
The incident, which occurred months before the 2025 general election, sparked tensions regarding immigration in the country. Throughout the trial, the defendant exhibited traits of narcissistic personality disorder, as confirmed by an expert witness, indicating a self-centered perspective.
Prosecutors accused the man of murdering six individuals and attempting to murder hundreds more in a meticulously planned attack that lasted just over a minute. The victims included five women aged 45 to 75 and a nine-year-old boy. The defendant’s actions were believed to stem from dissatisfaction with a civil law dispute and unsuccessful criminal complaints.
The court sentenced the defendant to life in prison, deeming the crime of “exceptional gravity,” meaning he may not be eligible for parole after the standard 15-year term. Reports indicated that the defendant, who worked at a rehabilitation clinic for criminals with addictions, had been absent from work due to vacation and illness at the time of the attack.
The defendant’s disruptive behavior during court appearances, lack of remorse, and rambling statements drew attention. Despite being removed from proceedings for misconduct, the trial continued in his absence when he went on a hunger strike and declared himself unfit to stand trial. The defendant had also posted video messages on social media on the day of the attack, blaming various entities for his actions.
Authorities had received a warning from Saudi Arabia about the defendant in 2023, which they investigated but found to be vague. Many affected individuals participated in the trial as joint plaintiffs, necessitating the construction of a temporary court building in Magdeburg to accommodate them. During the trial, the defendant stood in a glass enclosure, guarded by masked individuals.