One year after a man drove his car into the Magdeburg Christmas market, killing six people and injuring more than 300, Merz is due to speak at the memorial service on Saturday.
Exactly one year ago, Magdeburg's Christmas market was the scene of an attack that claimed the lives of six people and is still affecting the everyday lives of several hundred people a year later.
A memorial service will therefore be held on Saturday, with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also travelling to Magdeburg in person. Local police have also announced extensive traffic closures for the afternoon. A press release from the Magdeburg police station states that they want to "provide a protected space and ensure a safe stay".
"My thoughts are with the victims, those affected and the bereaved", explains Magdeburg's Lord Mayor Simone Borris with regard to the first anniversary. The city has therefore prepared a day of remembrance "to remember those people who lost their lives or were physically and mentally injured".
A human chain of lights is also planned around the Christmas market, which will be closed on that day. In this way, "we want to show that solidarity, diversity and respect are lived in Magdeburg and that our city sticks together. I hope that many Magdeburg residents will take part in the human chain of lights on the evening of 20 December," explained Mayor Borris.
"The rampage a year ago turned Magdeburg's Christmas market into a place of horror," explained Dr Stefanie Hubig, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection. "The brutality of this act and its senselessness are still disturbing today. On the first anniversary of the rampage, we remember those who were killed," she continued.
Her thoughts are with the relatives and the injured, who are still struggling with the consequences of the crime. "We must not and we will not leave the victims of Magdeburg alone," concluded Hubig. She points out that 455 people have already taken advantage of the help available to those affected.
Medication and therapy: more than 450 applications for compensation
The state of Saxony-Anhalt has since accepted more than 450 applications for compensation, according to the regional Ministry of Social Affairs. The survivors and relatives of victims are to receive help such as medication, psychotherapy and financial support.
So far, 146 psychotherapeutic treatments have been arranged in an outpatient trauma centre. In addition, 691 cases, benefits for medical treatment, such as inpatient stays, psychotherapy or medication, and 123 benefits for participation were granted. Funeral costs were covered by the federal state in three cases and six surviving dependants received money.
A monthly compensation payment of 434 euros was recognised in 56 cases and 868 euros in one case. "Time often doesn't heal wounds, and physical and psychological damage from the attack may not appear for a long time afterwards. This is why those affected can still submit applications now," said Social Affairs Minister Petra Grimm-Benne.
People who have been the victim of an act of violence in Germany and need physical, financial or psychological support to deal with it are entitled to this. This mechanism is intended to help people quickly and in line with their needs.
20 December 2024 Magdeburg Christmas market attack
Last year, shortly before Christmas, a 50-year-old man drove his car through the Christmas market. The doctor from Saudi Arabia had been living in Germany since 2006 and worked as a psychiatrist. Six people were killed in the attack, including five women aged between 45 and 75 and a nine-year-old boy. More than 300 people were injured. The victims came from almost every federal state in Germany and from abroad.
According to the Naumburg public prosecutor's office, the journey took one minute and four seconds. He travelled between market stalls at up to 48 km/h per hour, with an average speed of 27 km/h being recorded.
The public prosecutor's office in Naumburg has brought charges. The 206-page indictment alleges six counts of murder and 338 counts of attempted murder. There are also charges of causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous interference with road traffic. In addition, 180 victims and surviving dependants are appearing as joint plaintiffs, represented by around 40 lawyers. The Magdeburg Regional Court has scheduled almost 50 trial days for the trial until March 2026.
Verdict still pending: Defendant on hunger strike
The perpetrator is currently on trial at Magdeburg Regional Court. However, he has been on hunger strike for several weeks and is considered unfit to stand trial at this time. The trial will now continue without the accused.
In the opinion of presiding judge Dirk Sternberg, the defendant deliberately and culpably caused his inability to stand trial. The legal requirements for a continuation of the trial were therefore met.
The defence does not agree with this and has announced that it will take legal action against this. A decision will then be made by the Higher Regional Court.
The suspect Taleb al-Abdulmohsen had himself announced during the main hearing that he intended to instrumentalise his hunger strike, according to Judge Sternberg. At the beginning of the 13th day of the trial, the prison doctor at Burg Prison declared the accused to be only partially fit for transport and no longer fit to stand trial. There was a risk of acute kidney failure, but Abdulmohsen had refused the recommended infusion therapy.
The accused had previously justified his offence with failed attempts to settle the dispute with the German authorities peacefully. He even described his emotions, or rather lack of emotions, during the offence in the courtroom and explained that he had not noticed any injuries. The defendant had already hinted at the offence in a criminal complaint to the public prosecutor's office in 2023.
al-Abdulmohsen did not apologise and showed no remorse. A terrorist motive was rejected by the Federal Public Prosecutor General; the accused is said to have acted "out of personal frustration". He also stood out because he held up his laptop with "Sept. 2026" written on it, the date of the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.
Both the chamber and a psychiatric expert had been able to gain an impression of the accused since the start of the trial, argued the presiding judge. This could not delay or torpedo the proceedings. The presumption of innocence applies until the judgement, which is expected in March 2026 at the earliest.