German authorities believe that there was an Islamist motivation behind the car ramming attack in Munich on Thursday, February 13th which injured 36 people, two of whom are in a critical condition, and a further eight in a serious condition.
Afghan asylum seeker Farhad Noori (24) drove his car into a crowd of demonstrators in the southern German city, and he told police during a two-hour interrogation that he had acted deliberately.
Absurdly enough, there was a massive Antifa protest after the brutal attack, where the demonstrators apparently insulted and physically harassed the family members of friends of the victims.
Far-left and Antifa activists are attacking the family members and friends of the victims of today’s car-ramming attack in Munich.
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) February 13, 2025
They are insulting them and calling them ‘fascists’ for protesting against mass immigration in Germany. pic.twitter.com/vQDFTo0Cel
“I’m very cautious about making hasty judgements, but based on everything we know at the moment, I would venture to speak of an Islamist motivation for the crime,” said Gabriele Tilmann from the prosecution department which investigates extremism and terrorism.
The perpetrator is “very religious,” and has also “displayed this outwardly,” regularly attending a mosque and making online “posts with religious references,” she added. After the attack, he said “Allahu Akbar” (‘God is greatest’) to police officers and also prayed after his arrest.
Initial assessments of evidence seized from electronic devices belonging to the suspect showed a “certain Islamist orientation,” police spokesman Guido Limmer told reporters. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the accused is involved in any Islamist or terrorist organisation.
The authorities have confirmed that Farhad Noori arrived in Germany in 2016 as an unaccompanied minor, and his asylum application was rejected in 2020. However, he was granted a so-called “tolerance” permit—which means his deportation decision was suspended—and a residence permit in 2021. In contrast with previous media reports, the suspect does not have any prior convictions.
The man worked in security and was also heavily involved in fitness and bodybuilding.
The incident puts the spotlight back on immigration, its relation to a rise in crime, the authorities’ inability to deport failed asylum seekers and criminal migrants, as well as the government’s unwillingness to handle the migration crisis.
The national elections next Sunday, February 23rd, will probably be won by the opposition centre-right CDU/CSU alliance which has vowed to turn back illegal migrants back at the border. The alliance has the support of 32% of the electorate, according to the latest poll.
The right-wing AfD party, which advocates an even tougher stance on immigration, is set to finish second with 21%. “We need an immediate U-turn on migration: border controls, a stop to migration, and the expulsion of all those who are obliged to leave the country, as well as criminals,” Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the party tweeted after the Munich attack.
