Initial reports painted 24-year-old Afghan Farhad N. as an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, but these claims have now been debunked. Contrary to what the Bavarian Interior Ministry initially announced, he was legally residing and working in Germany.
Farhad had been in the country for nearly nine years and was a well-known figure on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where he shared glimpses of his life as a bodybuilder.
As for the motives behind his recent attack, which injured 36 people, including children, at a demonstration organized by the left-wing Ver.di union, there’s still uncertainty. Farhad had posted religious content before the attack, but police haven’t confirmed if his actions were influenced by Islamic extremism.
Yesterday, media outlets were quick to report that Farhad had a criminal past, including theft and drug dealing charges. However, it turns out this was inaccurate. Farhad worked as a security guard and even served as a witness in multiple trials, which led to confusion and a mix-up in the official reports. His involvement in those cases likely prompted the Bavarian Interior Ministry’s misleading statement about his background.
Moreover, claims that Farhad was in Germany illegally were also unfounded. He arrived in Germany from Kabul in 2016, seeking asylum. While his application was initially denied, Munich granted him a toleration notice in April 2021, and by October that year, he received a residence permit, according to Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. The minister clarified that, based on current information, Farhad’s stay in the country had been entirely legal.
On paper, Farhad seemed to have integrated well. He attended school, completed vocational training, and worked as a security guard at two different stores. The only legal issue he faced was a minor fare evasion offense.
Farhad wasn’t just a private individual; he had a sizable social media following, with roughly 100,000 followers across his TikTok and Instagram accounts. His posts often showcased his life as a self-styled “cool” bodybuilder, flaunting expensive cars, watches, and trendy clothes. Just hours before the attack, he shared a video of himself in a green meadow with a Persian religious message about death. The prayer he posted said: “When torment approaches the deceased from any direction, their prayers stand guard and declare that it’s not allowed to come from that direction.” Farhad added a personal note: “Oh Allah, always protect us.”
After the attack, videos surfaced showing Farhad shouting “Allah,” which raised suspicions about his possible extremist motives. However, there were also posts on his account where he criticized the Taliban’s decision to limit women’s access to education, which seemed to contradict the idea of him being an Islamic extremist. While police haven’t yet confirmed his exact motives, the investigation has been handed over to the Bavarian Central Office for Extremism and Terrorism.
In his social media posts, Farhad had a notable fondness for cars, often sharing videos of himself with vehicles like the yellow Mini Cooper, which eerily resembled the car used in the attack.
