Munich Car Attack Trial Begins: Two Dead, Dozens Injured in Alleged Islamist Act
Munich, January 11 – The trial for a devastating car attack that occurred nearly a year ago in Munich, claiming the lives of a mother and her two-year-old child and injuring dozens, has officially begun. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the city, is now being addressed in court, just a few hundred meters from the scene of the crime.
The white compact car first struck two-year-old Hafsa, who was in a stroller, and her mother Amel. Both were thrown into the air, sustaining severe injuries that led to their deaths several days later. In total, 44 other individuals were injured, some critically.
Federal Prosecutors Allege Islamist Motive
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged the young man, a 24-year-old Afghan who arrived in Germany in 2016, with two counts of murder, 44 counts of attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, and a serious dangerous interference with road traffic. The prosecution asserts that the accused deliberately drove his car into a demonstration procession organized by the Verdi trade union on February 13, 2025 – ten days before the snap federal election.
According to investigations, the driver allegedly overtook a police escort vehicle and continued for another 23 meters after hitting the first people. Investigators state that the vehicle was brought to a halt not by the driver, but because it could not proceed due to the injured individuals trapped underneath.
“Allahu Akbar” Shouts and Religious Motivation
The alleged motive, as stated by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office during the indictment, was that the accused “felt obliged to attack and kill arbitrarily selected individuals in Germany in response to the suffering of Muslims in Islamic-influenced countries.” He reportedly watched hate sermons online and, after the attack, shouted “Allahu Akbar” and prayed. During his interrogation, he admitted to intentionally driving into the demonstration participants “out of an exaggerated religious motivation,” according to investigators.
However, there is no evidence suggesting the man was part of a network, nor have investigators found any links to terrorist organizations like the Islamic State (IS), other accomplices, or a recent increase in the young man’s radicalization.
Victims Still Grappling with Trauma
Attorney David Mühlberger represents eight individuals who survived the attack with injuries. He told the German Press Agency that “they are all not doing well.” While not all victims remember the incident due to their severe injuries, most are still undergoing psychological treatment nearly a year later. Some are also still receiving treatment for their physical injuries, and not all have been able to return to work.
According to the Verdi trade union, none of the demonstration participants from that day wish to speak about the horrific event. The head of Verdi’s crisis team stated that the union attempted to gather information for an internal documentation of the events at Stiglmaierplatz from colleagues who were present. “Nobody wanted to speak about it on camera,” he said. “It might still be too early, and many are still too affected by the events.”
The trial is scheduled to continue until the summer, with a verdict expected on June 25.
Source: dpa
