Trial Begins for Munich Car Attack: Two Fatalities and Dozens Injured
Munich, January 15 – The trial for a devastating car attack that occurred nearly a year ago in Munich has officially begun at the Munich Higher Regional Court. The incident, which saw a car deliberately driven into a crowd, resulted in the tragic deaths of a two-year-old girl, Hafsa, and her mother, Amel, and left 44 others injured, some critically.
The federal prosecutor’s office has indicted the young man, an Afghan national who arrived in Germany in 2016, on charges of double murder, attempted murder in 44 cases, dangerous bodily harm, and a serious dangerous interference with road traffic. The proceedings are scheduled to continue until summer, with a verdict expected by June 25.
The Horrific Incident and Its Aftermath
The attack took place on February 13, 2025, just ten days before an early federal election, targeting a Verdi trade union demonstration with approximately 1,400 participants. Investigators believe the then 24-year-old deliberately steered his white compact car into the procession, overriding a police escort vehicle and continuing for 23 meters after the initial impact. The vehicle only stopped because of the victims trapped underneath it.
The two-year-old Hafsa, in a stroller, and her mother Amel were the first to be struck, thrown into the air, and sustained injuries that proved fatal days later. The other 44 victims suffered various injuries, with some facing life-threatening conditions.
Islamist Motive Suspected
Investigators are operating under the assumption of an Islamist terrorist motive. The accused allegedly felt compelled to attack and kill arbitrarily selected individuals in Germany as a reaction to the suffering of Muslims in Islamic-majority countries. He is believed to have watched hate sermons online. Following the attack, the man reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” and prayed, admitting during questioning to intentionally driving into the demonstrators due to “an exaggerated religious motivation.”
However, investigators have found no evidence linking the man to a wider network, such as the Islamic State (IS), nor any signs of increasing radicalization in the recent past.
Victims Still Grapple with Trauma
David Mühlberger, a lawyer representing eight of the injured survivors in the ancillary prosecution, stated that his clients are still struggling significantly. “They are all not doing well,” he told the German Press Agency. While some have no memory of the event due to their severe injuries, most are still undergoing psychological treatment nearly a year later. Many are also still receiving treatment for their physical injuries, and not all have been able to return to work.
Verdi, the trade union whose demonstration was targeted, reported that none of the participants from that day wish to speak publicly about the horrific event. The head of the Verdi crisis team mentioned that attempts to document the incident internally at Stiglmaierplatz were met with reluctance. “Nobody wanted to talk about it on camera,” he said. “It’s probably still too early, and many are still too affected by the events.”
The trial is taking place less than 500 meters from the scene of the attack, underscoring the profound impact this event has had on the city of Munich.
Source: antenne.de
