- German authorities have declared the Berlin Pride vehicle-and-knife rampage an Islamist terrorist attack.
- The suspect, Ballout, had a criminal record, including a suspended sentence of 1 year 10 months and a previous conviction for preparing a serious act of subversive violence after attempting to join IS.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for unity and vowed to defend freedom, while the Bundestag flag was lowered to half mast.
- Berlin’s mayor Kai Wegner condemned the attack as an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society.
- European leaders expressed solidarity, with Emmanuel Macron stating that our response will always be unity, freedom, and resolve.
German authorities have confirmed that a recent attack in Berlin, which left one dead and 29 injured, is classified as an Islamist terrorist attack. The assailant, identified as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, drove a minivan into a crowd before using a machete to stab victims, some of whom sustained life-threatening injuries.12
Dobrindt stated, “Everything we see here indicates that we are dealing with an Islamist terrorist attack.” Ballout, a German national of Lebanese descent, had a criminal history, including a conviction for “preparing a serious act of subversive violence.” His previous attempts to join extremist groups in the Middle East were reported by German media.
In response to the attack, Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, condemned it as “an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society.” He emphasized the brutality of the assault, which occurred after a peaceful Pride event. The German Bundestag flag was ordered to be lowered to half-mast in remembrance of the victims.56
Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for unity, stating, “We will think about consequences, we will defend our freedom.” European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, expressed solidarity, emphasizing a collective response to hatred and violence.78
“The suspect, a German national with Lebanese roots, had a suspended 1-year-10-month sentence for preparing acts of subversive violence after attempting to join IS. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for unity and vowed to defend freedom, ordering the Bundestag flag lowered to half mast.”
The Guardian
