Saudi Arabian intelligence had apparently sent a warning to the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) over a year before the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, perpetrated by Taleb A. The information comes from the “Spiegel” based on security circles.
According to the report, the warning included tweets from the later attacker, in which Taleb A. wrote that Germany would pay a “price” for its treatment of Saudi Arabian refugees. The warning allegedly landed at the Saxony-Anhalt State Office of Criminal Investigation (LKA Sachsen-Anhalt). However, it is reported that the authorities did not see a concrete threat emanating from Taleb A. The agency initially left the question unanswered, according to the magazine.
Taleb A. was also known to the Berlin justice system. The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office is said to have been investigating him for “abuse of emergency calls.” It is reported that A. appeared at the police station on Tempelhof’s section 44 in February 2024 to file a complaint. Apparently, he made wild statements and was dissatisfied with the behavior of the on-duty police officers. He then allegedly called the fire department’s emergency number and demanded a “legal consultation.”
As a result of the misuse of the emergency number, A. received a fine of 20 daily installments of 30 euros, which he appealed. A spokesperson for the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to the “Spiegel” that a hearing on the appeal was scheduled for the day before the Magdeburg attack, on December 19. However, A. did not appear for the hearing, and the appeal was dismissed.
The “Spiegel” also reports that Taleb A. presented himself online as a great supporter of billionaire Elon Musk, US moderator Alex Jones, and the right-wing British Tommy Robinson.
A. apparently openly sympathized with the AfD and dreamed of a joint project with the party: an academy for ex-Muslims. “Who else fights Islam in Germany?” he asked on the platform, the magazine reports.
A. also counted former Chancellor Angela Merkel among his targets, the “Spiegel” reports. On December 5, he wrote on the platform: “Since there is no death penalty in Germany, Merkel must spend the rest of her life in prison as punishment for her criminal secret project, European Islamization. But if the death penalty is reintroduced, she deserves to be killed.”
From A.’s work environment, the “Spiegel” quotes that he had escalated his activism, was unable to work as a result, and eventually withdrew, becoming less attentive and less violent. He never seemed to be on the verge of a violent outburst. A. also believed he was being persecuted by Saudi Arabian intelligence.
Since the end of October, A. is said to have been absent from work due to illness and vacation. In November and December, he allegedly visited Magdeburg multiple times, reportedly staying at the Maritim Hotel in the city center.
According to the “Spiegel” based on security circles, he may have prepared for the attack in the hotel. When he drove through the Christmas market on the evening of the attack, he could have been under the influence of drugs: an initial “Drugwipe” test reportedly came back positive, and a blood test is expected to provide clarity.