Death driver Magdeburg tried to use the second day of trials to attack the Christmas market to promote himself. Defendant Taleb al-Abdulmohsen continued his statement without actually addressing the attack on December 20, 2024 which left six people dead and more than 300 people injured. Prosecutors accused the man from Saudi Arabia, among other things, of murder in six cases and attempted murder of 338 other people.
The presiding judge, Dirk Sternberg, initially cautioned the 51-year-old to testify about what happened and what came before it – rather than straying into political statements. He also warned the defendant not to use the laptop provided during the trial to make political calls.
On the first day of the trial, al-Abdulmohsen raised it and said “September 2026” could be read. “The next political election has arrived Saxony-Anhalt», explained the defendant who is known as a critic of Islam. A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026.
The defendant declared a hunger strike
The court was initially unimpressed by the defendant’s announcement that he would refuse food again. “You have no right to delay or stop the trial through hunger strike or thirst,” stressed Judge Sternberg. Because the indictment had been read and al-Abdulmohsen had a chance to testify, the trial could proceed without him, Sternberg explained.
The driver who died told the court: “I have been on hunger strike since yesterday. I wanted to do this for three weeks. No physical injuries are expected.”
On Monday, the 51-year-old admitted to being behind the wheel. “I was the one driving the car,” said al-Abdulmohsen. He did not provide further specific information and did not mention any regrets. Instead, he previously announced that he would be commenting “for hours, perhaps days.”
Experts follow the statement
The defendant, who treated mentally ill criminals as a psychiatrist in the Bernburg prison, was supervised by psychiatric experts. He will be present at several days of the talks and is expected to get an overview from al-Abdulmohsen, who has so far refused to talk to the expert.
The main issue here is the defendant’s guilt at the time of committing the crime. If found guilty, the defendant also faces lifelong preventive detention.
By Galileo Galilei, Hawking and Einstein
Several confusing statements on the first day of the trial were followed by similar statements regarding alleged cover-ups by police authorities and public prosecutors in Germany as well as corruption.
The defendant mentioned researchers such as Galileo Galilei, Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, complaining about the German authorities and the lack of assistance for Saudi women. He wanted to clarify and warn. He filed criminal complaints but they were not heard. In fact, he was reported himself, for example, for misusing the emergency number 112.
Al-Abdulmohsen had numerous contacts with various authorities and was classified as a prolific writer, as found by a parliamentary investigation committee in the state parliament.
In the midst of statements that often seem unclear, the 51-year-old man uttered sentences such as: “If we were understood, I would not kill or injure anyone.” When the driver of death wants to speak directly to the parents of a murdered nine-year-old boy, Judge Sternberg intervenes.
Fewer claimants on site
Those affected who took part in the process in person appeared tense. Approximately 180 plaintiffs were represented at trial. About 30 people came on the second day – fewer than at the start of the trial. However, the rows of spectators with a capacity of more than 100 seats were filled.
On the second day of the trial, the defendant was also taken by helicopter from Burg prison to Magdeburg and then to a temporary courtroom. This process takes place under strict security measures. The Magdeburg regional court has so far planned a nearly 50-day trial until March 12, 2026.
Dispute regarding this year’s Christmas market
Meanwhile, there is a dispute over this year’s Magdeburg Christmas market. Mayor Simone Borris (non-party) surprisingly announced on Monday evening that there would be no approval for a Christmas market for now.
The background is a letter from the state administration office in which there is criticism of the current security concept. The letter, submitted to the German Press Agency, cited, among other things, serious shortcomings in access protection and the organization of security personnel.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251111-930-275666/3
