Image: Andre Gleissner was one of at least five people who died in the attack. Pic: Desiree Gleissner
The federal interior minister, Nancy Faeser, has promised there will be a thorough investigation into the man who has been described as “Islamophobic” and a fan of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
“The task is to piece together all findings and paint a picture of this perpetrator, who does not fit any existing mould,” Ms Faeser said.
“This perpetrator acted in an unbelievably cruel and brutal manner – like an Islamist terrorist, although he was clearly ideologically hostile to Islam,” she added.
Far-right protests
Grief is weighing heavy on Magdeburg and the possibility this misery could have been avoided risks stirring up tensions.
Germany is heading towards a general election and there’s a chance the tragedy could be used for political point scoring.
Image: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) at the memorial service. Pic: AP
Image: People outside Magdeburg Cathedral follow a memorial service. Pic: AP
On Saturday, as hundreds of the city’s residents gathered at a memorial for the victims, far-right protesters were meeting to mark the attack in a very different way.
Seemingly angered by the suspect’s migrant background, around 2,000 people, some wearing black balaclavas, held up a large banner with the word “remigration.”
Image: ‘Remigration’ is written on a banner at a demonstration by right-wing groups in Magdeburg. Pic: AP
Image: A man is taken away by police officers during a demonstration by right-wing groups. Pic: AP
It’s a controversial term popular with supporters of the far-right who seek the mass deportation of immigrants and people deemed not ethnically German.
Police said some minor scuffles broke out.
‘Frightened’
Syrian-born Batoul Nayouf has lived in Magdeburg for five years.
She says many in the migrant community are feeling nervous.
“We are frightened. As immigrants, we are witnessing an extreme wave of hate speech. We are witnessing even violent acts against immigrants,” she says.
“When I was coming here on the tram, there was a German woman and a person of colour. She was actually staring at him until the point she spat on him.”
Image: Syrian-born Batoul Nayouf has lived in Magdeburg for five years
She understands many Germans are afraid, but hopes the community can come together as they mourn.
The people of Magdeburg are grief-stricken and exhausted, and they just want to understand why the Christmas market was attacked.
If they wait too long for answers, their fear may turn to anger.
And the closer Germany gets to the general election, the greater the risk that parties will try to seek support by exploiting those divisions.
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