Berlin Jihad update: Suspect named as 23-year-old asylum seeker from Pakistan
https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/berlin-jihad-update-suspect-named-as-23-year-old-asylum-seeker-from-pakistan/
Watch | Police arrest suspect in Berlin market attack
20 December 2016 • 10:53am- 12 dead and 48 injured, some severely, at Berlin market
- Police believe “likely terrorist incident”
- Suspect arrested, man thought to be original driver found dead
- Attack occurred at Breitscheidplatz, outside the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
No official confirmation has been provided at this time.
The suspect was picked up about 2 kilometres (1½ miles) away from the scene of the attack in which 12 were, near the Victory Column monument.
Berlin’s public radio station RBB-Inforadio reported that the suspect was a Pakistani citizen who entered Germany on Dec. 31, 2015, citing an unnamed security source.
This partly concurred with those in other German media.
News agency dpa, also citing unnamed security sources, reported that he came to Germany as a refugee in February 2016. Berlin’s Tagesspiegel newspaper reported that the man was known to police for minor crimes.
Berlin police declined to confirm the identification of the man as the alleged attacker, but a police spokesman said the man was being interrogated.
The Welt daily reported that police raided a large shelter for asylum-seekers at Berlin’s defunct Tempelhof airport overnight. Four men are understood to have been questioned, but not arrested.
At least 48 were injured, some seriously, in the attack, after the vehicle mounted the pavement at about 40mph and crashed into them.
A passenger in the lorry – believed to be the original driver – was later found dead inside. German authorities confirmed that the passenger was a Polish national and that he was not the person in control of the vehicle, which belonged to a Polish delivery company, at the time of the crash.
Police said the incident – which echoed an attack in Nice in July this year where 86 people were killed by a truck driven by a terrorist inspired by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) – appeared to be intentional and was being investigated as a suspected terror attack. On Monday night they warned local residents to stay indoors.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, expressed her sympathy for the victims of the incident.
Germany was put on high alert for a major terror attack in the months after Mrs Merkel opened the country’s borders to more than one million refugees from the Middle East.
Within minutes of last night’s incident, far-Right politicians were criticised for exploiting the attack to suggest that Germany’s generosity had allowed extremists into the country.
Police officers inspect the lorry that crashed into a Christmas market at Gedächniskirche church in Berlin.
The carnage came just hours after the Russian ambassador to Turkey had been shot dead in the Turkish capital Ankara by a policeman who claimed to be taking revenge for Moscow’s involvement in the battle for Aleppo.
It followed warnings from intelligence agencies that Isil terrorists may target Christmas markets in Europe.
Witnesses of the Berlin attack described scenes of panic and horror as a lorry veered off the street and ploughed into the crowded Christmas market just off the famous shopping street of Kurfürstendamm at around 8pm local time (7pm GMT).
Emma Rushton, a tourist, told CNN: “We were enjoying the Christmas lights and mulled wine. We were ready to get up when we heard a loud bang, To our left we saw Christmas lights torn down and the top of an articulated lorry crashing through the stalls and through people.
“We wanted to get out as soon as possible. We wanted to get to a safe place. In my opinion, it was going at 40mph, there was no sign it was slowing down. It did not feel like an accident. There was no way it could have come off like an accident, it was through the middle of the market. The stall where mulled wine was being served was crushed. I saw people bleeding, lying in the pavement.”
Mike Fox, who was visiting Berlin from Birmingham, said the lorry missed him by around three yards.
“It was definitely deliberate,” he said. He added that he helped people who appeared to have broken limbs, and that others were trapped under Christmas stands.
Crushed stalls were left in the remains of the Christmas market last night, in the shadow of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which is preserved in ruins from Second World War bombing.
Many of the injured were said to be in a life-threatening condition last night.
The company said the vehicle, which was loaded with steel beams, had left Poland for Berlin earlier in the day but that contact with the driver was lost at around 4pm local time (3pm GMT) and the firm believed the lorry may have been hijacked.
There has long been concern in Germany that the country’s traditional Christmas markets could be a target for a terror attack. German intelligence picked up several indications of an imminent attack on a market in the days leading up to the attack, according to Die Welt newspaper.
Since Nice, security experts have warned that it is largely impossible to protect people against this style of attack, in which a lorry is driven into a crowd.
The lorry is pictured from behind.
Attention will now focus on the identity of the perpetrators. Any indication that they may have been asylum-seekers will heap pressure on Mrs Merkel over her controversial “open door” refugee policy, under which more than one million migrants entered Germany last year.
Mrs Merkel has distanced herself from the policy in recent months, and promised it will never be repeated, after her party suffered damaging losses in regional elections and with general elections looming next year.
Forensic units inspect the scene of the crash in Berlin
France under “high level of threat” – Hollande
From Agence France PressePresident Francois Hollande said Tuesday France was under a “high level of threat” from terror attack following the carnage at a Berlin Christmas market.
Hollande said although France faced an elevated threat, it also already had a large-scale “security operation” in place following a string of jihadist outrages in the country over the past two years.
10:47AM
Alleged Christmas market attacker ‘caught after being tailed by bystander’ – report.
From Justin Huggler, our Berlin correspondent:
The suspect in the Berlin terror attack was only captured because of the swift and courageous actions of a bystander, it has emerged,
The man, who has not been named, saw the driver of the truck flee from the scene and followed him, police told Welt newspaper.
Keeping at a safe distance , he called police as he ran and gave the location of the fugitive.
The driver ran into the Tiergarten Park, presumably to try to exploit the cover of darkness in the woods.
Thanks to the witness’ prompt action, police were able to arrest the driver at the Victory Column monument in the middle of the park.
“This civic courage can give us strength today,” a police spokesman told Welt.
Police said they were not naming the heroic bystander as they believe he wishes to remain anonymous.
The suspect in the Berlin terror attack was only captured because of the swift and courageous actions of a bystander, it has emerged,
The man, who has not been named, saw the driver of the truck flee from the scene and followed him, police told Welt newspaper.
Keeping at a safe distance , he called police as he ran and gave the location of the fugitive.
The driver ran into the Tiergarten Park, presumably to try to exploit the cover of darkness in the woods.
Thanks to the witness’ prompt action, police were able to arrest the driver at the Victory Column monument in the middle of the park.
“This civic courage can give us strength today,” a police spokesman told Welt.
Police said they were not naming the heroic bystander as they believe he wishes to remain anonymous.
10:43AM
Polish PM confirms “first victim” was a citizen
From the Associated Press:
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo says it is “with pain and sadness we received the information that the first victim of this heinous act of violence was a Polish citizen.”
Ms Szydlo told reporters that Monday’s attack on a Christmas market in Berlin is a reminder that “Europe must become unified in the fight against terrorism and Europe must take effective action to protect its citizens.”
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo says it is “with pain and sadness we received the information that the first victim of this heinous act of violence was a Polish citizen.”
Ms Szydlo told reporters that Monday’s attack on a Christmas market in Berlin is a reminder that “Europe must become unified in the fight against terrorism and Europe must take effective action to protect its citizens.”
10:40AM
Full Merkel statement: “repugnant” if attacker someone who sought asylum in Germany
Justin Huggler, our Berlin Correspondent, has sent a full version of Angela Merkel’s statement:
“We do not want to live in fear of evil,” Angela Merkel said in a statement on the attack on Tuesday.
“The whole country is united with the victims and bereaved in deep sorrow,” the German chancellor said. “We all hope and many of us pray for them. That they can find comfort and support. That they can live on after this terrible blow.
“I am sad and shaken, together with millions of people in Germany. Twelve people who were still among us yesterday, who were looking forward to Christmas, who had plans, are no longer there.
Dressed all in black, Mrs Merkel said it would be “particularly repugnant” if the perpetrator is confirmed to be some one who was given asylum in Germany as a refugee.
“This act will be thoroughly investigated and punished as severely as our laws permit,” she said.
“How can we live with a murderer choosing to strike at a place where we celebrate life?” she said.
The chancellor said her thoughts were with the victims.”I want them to know we’re all united with them in mourning,” she said. “We pray for the injured. That they can be healthy and live again. ”
She thanked police and rescue workers “from the heart for their onerous service” and concluded: “There is much we still do not know with sufficient certainty but we must, as things stand now, assume it was a terrorist attack.”
“We do not want to live in fear of evil,” Angela Merkel said in a statement on the attack on Tuesday.
“The whole country is united with the victims and bereaved in deep sorrow,” the German chancellor said. “We all hope and many of us pray for them. That they can find comfort and support. That they can live on after this terrible blow.
“I am sad and shaken, together with millions of people in Germany. Twelve people who were still among us yesterday, who were looking forward to Christmas, who had plans, are no longer there.
Dressed all in black, Mrs Merkel said it would be “particularly repugnant” if the perpetrator is confirmed to be some one who was given asylum in Germany as a refugee.
“This act will be thoroughly investigated and punished as severely as our laws permit,” she said.
“How can we live with a murderer choosing to strike at a place where we celebrate life?” she said.
The chancellor said her thoughts were with the victims.”I want them to know we’re all united with them in mourning,” she said. “We pray for the injured. That they can be healthy and live again. ”
She thanked police and rescue workers “from the heart for their onerous service” and concluded: “There is much we still do not know with sufficient certainty but we must, as things stand now, assume it was a terrorist attack.”
10:28AM
Slovakia’s Fico warns Europe patience with migration at end
From Reuters:
Europe’s “cup of patience” over migration is beginning to spill over, the Slovak Prime Minister said on Tuesday, following an attack on a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 and wounded dozens.
“The facts are simple: a migrant who arrived in Germany and got refugee status … is now interrogated as a suspect responsible for this heinous, repugnant crime,” Robert Fico told a televised news conference.
“I think that the cup of patience is beginning to spill over and Europe’s public will rightfully expect rather stronger (anti-migration) measures.”
Europe’s “cup of patience” over migration is beginning to spill over, the Slovak Prime Minister said on Tuesday, following an attack on a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 and wounded dozens.
“The facts are simple: a migrant who arrived in Germany and got refugee status … is now interrogated as a suspect responsible for this heinous, repugnant crime,” Robert Fico told a televised news conference.
“I think that the cup of patience is beginning to spill over and Europe’s public will rightfully expect rather stronger (anti-migration) measures.”
10:25AM
Germany is ‘in state of war’ – Saarland interior minister
The Interior minister of the
German State of Saarland has given an interview in which he has
described Germany being “in a state of war”, even though many people
“don’t want to realise that”.
10:21AM
Merkel: ‘hard for us to take’ if Christmas market attacker is asylum seeker
German Chancellor
Angela Merkel said Tuesday that authorities believe a deadly rampage by a
lorry driver at a Berlin Christmas market was a “terrorist” attack
likely committed by an asylum seeker.
“According to what we know, we have to assume this was a terrorist attack,” Merkel, visibly moved and dressed in black, told reporters.
“I know it will be especially hard for us to take if it is confirmed that the person who committed this attack sought protection and asylum in Germany.”
“According to what we know, we have to assume this was a terrorist attack,” Merkel, visibly moved and dressed in black, told reporters.
“I know it will be especially hard for us to take if it is confirmed that the person who committed this attack sought protection and asylum in Germany.”
10:10AM
Putin sends condolences to Germany over Christmas market killings
From Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent condolences to Germany after a truck ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48, calling the attack “shocking”.
“This crime against peaceful civilians is shocking in its savage cynicism,” Putin wrote to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, according to a statement on the Kremlin’s website.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent condolences to Germany after a truck ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48, calling the attack “shocking”.
“This crime against peaceful civilians is shocking in its savage cynicism,” Putin wrote to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, according to a statement on the Kremlin’s website.
9:34AM
Hijacked Polish driver of Berlin truck appears to have been shot – reports
From Reuters:
One of those found dead after a truck ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin had been shot, German magazine Focus Online reported on Tuesday, citing the interior minister for the state of Brandenburg.
The victim was most likely the Polish driver of the truck, Brandenburg Interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schroeter said in Potsdam, referring to information from a telephone conference of state interior ministers, the magazine said. He said the Polish driver was a victim, not a perpetrator, the magazine said.
Police said earlier that the man found dead in the truck was a Polish citizen but added he was not in control of the vehicle.
One of those found dead after a truck ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin had been shot, German magazine Focus Online reported on Tuesday, citing the interior minister for the state of Brandenburg.
The victim was most likely the Polish driver of the truck, Brandenburg Interior Minister Karl-Heinz Schroeter said in Potsdam, referring to information from a telephone conference of state interior ministers, the magazine said. He said the Polish driver was a victim, not a perpetrator, the magazine said.
Police said earlier that the man found dead in the truck was a Polish citizen but added he was not in control of the vehicle.
9:29AM
Migration debate to ‘flare up’ after Berlin attack, but Merkel likely to survive
Carsten Nickel of Teneo
Intelligence, the risk consultancy, provides the following snap
assessment of the potential political impacts of the Berlin Christmas
market attack:
“Politicians and especially Merkel have long feared an attack in Germany. Now that this threat might have materialized, its political impact is probably bigger shortly before Christmas than at any other time of the year. The relative calm of the news cycle during the holiday period will further amplify its effect on the public debate.
“In a worst-case scenario for Merkel, recent speculation would prove correct that the truck’s alleged driver entered Germany in February via the Balkan migration route. If this was indeed the case, the debate about Merkel’s migration policy would likely flare up again once the immediate shock has subsided – fuelled mainly by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
“However, it remains difficult to envisage a scenario in which Merkel fails to get re-elected in the 2017 Bundestag polls. Even with a stronger AfD performance than the 12% at which it is currently polling, finding coalition partners is probably even more important than poll performance under a proportional electoral system.”
“Politicians and especially Merkel have long feared an attack in Germany. Now that this threat might have materialized, its political impact is probably bigger shortly before Christmas than at any other time of the year. The relative calm of the news cycle during the holiday period will further amplify its effect on the public debate.
“In a worst-case scenario for Merkel, recent speculation would prove correct that the truck’s alleged driver entered Germany in February via the Balkan migration route. If this was indeed the case, the debate about Merkel’s migration policy would likely flare up again once the immediate shock has subsided – fuelled mainly by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
“However, it remains difficult to envisage a scenario in which Merkel fails to get re-elected in the 2017 Bundestag polls. Even with a stronger AfD performance than the 12% at which it is currently polling, finding coalition partners is probably even more important than poll performance under a proportional electoral system.”
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