The authorities of Saudi Arabia repeatedly warned Germany about potential threats posed by Taleb A., the suspect in the car attack on visitors of the Christmas market in Magdeburg, reports Der Spiegel.
According to the publication, Riyadh sent three such warnings to German security agencies. As Bild reports, citing sources within police circles, law enforcement officers found narcotics in Taleb A.’s blood. Initial tests for seven types of drugs in the driver’s blood came back positive, although the specific substances used by the suspect have not been disclosed.
The incident occurred on December 20. The car attack on visitors at the Christmas market in Magdeburg resulted in four fatalities and injuries to 205 people. The suspect is a Saudi citizen born in 1974. His motives remain unknown, but it is assumed he acted alone. In 2016, the man was granted refugee status, and in Germany, he worked as a specialist in psychotherapy.
