Munich: Religious Motivation Suspected in Car Ramming Attack

The person behind the Munich attack in Germany, who drove a car into a crowd, was reportedly driven by religious motives to commit this horrifying act.

A Shocking Attack in Munich

A ramming attack occurred in Munich on Thursday, February 13, injuring 36 people. A 24-year-old man was arrested after he drove his vehicle into a protest march.

Religious Motivation Behind the Act

German authorities disclosed today that the attack was religiously motivated. “We have identified an Islamist orientation in the individual,” stated Guido Limmer, a local police official, during a press conference.

The attacker confessed to deliberately hitting the demonstrators for religious reasons, added Gabrielle Tillmann, a prosecutor’s office representative. Following his arrest, the man shouted “Allah Akbar” (“God is great”) and then prayed, according to authorities.

A Disturbing Profile

The assailant, a 24-year-old Afghan, arrived in Germany in 2016 at the age of 15. His residency status in Germany was “tolerated” because he claimed to have a job, mainly as a security guard, although his asylum request had been denied.

Police analysis of his mobile phone revealed several religious messages. He was religious and wanted to make it known, Guido Limmer noted after examining his social media accounts. He had also made a name for himself as a bodybuilder, having competed in several competitions in Bavaria.