The suspect, who arrested him on Friday said he had “Muslim motives” in a car runaway incident in Munich, southern Germany, on Thursday.
Nevertheless, Munich prosecutors added that there is no evidence that the case is linked to terrorist organizations such as the so-called “Islamic state.”
The suspect admits intentional car charges
The 24-year-old Afghan suspect uttered the words “Araf Akbar” (God is the greatest), prosecutor Gabriele Thilman added.
“He admitted that he intentionally pushed him to the protesters,” Tillman added.
“I am very cautious about rushing judgments, but based on everything we know at this point, I will try to talk about the Islamist motives of crime.”
The suspect was being investigated for 36 counts of attempted murder, physical harm and dangerous interference with road traffic, prosecutors added.
Authorities also said the number of people injured in the attack has increased to 36.
German President Frank Walter Steinmeier attended a moment of silence held at the scene of the attack in Central Munich.
“The atrocities of this crime unleash our feelings and make us speechless,” Steinmeyer said. He vowed that the person responsible will be “be bound to explain in accordance with the law.”
Meanwhile, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for those affected.
“I condemn the attack in Munich, Germany. My sympathy lies with the victims’ families,” he posted on X.
What else do you know about the suspect?
The Afghan suspect arrived in Germany in 2016 as asylum seekers, Tillman said. However, at the time of the incident, he had a valid residence permit and had no prior criminal charges.
He lived in a rental apartment in Munich, where he was employed and paid health and social insurance.
She added that authorities searched and analyzed his phone calls and social media activities. Especially on Instagram, he mostly shared athletic posts, but also religious posts.
Edited by: Alex Berry, Wessed Dockery
