Prosecutors investigate possible Islamic extremist motive for Munich attack

The suspect in the car-ramming attack in Munich that left 39 people injured appears to have had an Islamic extremist motive but there is no evidence that he was involved with any radical network, authorities in Germany said.

The 24-year-old Afghan, who arrived in Germany as an asylum seeker in 2016 and lived in Munich, was arrested after driving a Mini Cooper into a labour union demonstration in the Bavarian city on Thursday.

He was arrested after police officers pulled him out of the car after firing a shot at the vehicle, which did not hit him.

Authorities said 39 people were injured in the attack, two of them very seriously and eight seriously.

A judge on Friday ordered that the suspect – whom authorities identified only as Farhad N in line with German privacy rules – remain in custody pending a possible indictment.

It was the fifth in a series of attacks involving immigrants over the past nine months that have pushed migration to the forefront of the campaign for Germany’s February 23 election.

Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann said that the suspect said “Allahu Akbar”, or “God is great”, to police and then prayed after his arrest – which prompted a department that investigates extremism and terror to take on the case immediately.

In questioning, he admitted deliberately driving into the demonstration and “gave an explanation that I would summarise as religious motivation”, Ms Tilmann said.

She did not give details, but added: “According to all we know at the moment, I would venture to speak of an Islamist motivation.”

However, there were no indications the suspect was in any Islamic extremist organisation, she added.

He posted content with religious references – such as “Allah, protect us always” – on social media, where he described himself as a bodybuilder and fitness model, Ms Tilmann said.

The deputy head of Bavaria’s state criminal police office, Guido Limmer, said investigators found a chat, apparently with relatives, in which the suspect wrote “perhaps I won’t be there anymore tomorrow”, but so far they have found nothing that points to concrete preparations for the attack or anyone else being involved.

The suspect had no previous convictions and had a valid residence permit, although his asylum application had been rejected.

He had jobs, including as a store detective.

Ms Tilmann said there was no indication of mental illness.

Federal prosecutors, who deal with national security and terror cases in Germany, said later on Friday they were taking over the investigation because of the “particular significance of the case”.

The suspect is under investigation on 39 counts of attempted murder, as well as bodily harm and dangerous interference with road traffic.

Well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles near the site of the attack.

“I’m speechless,” said Anna Zagkoti, 37.

“We had too many other cases like this in other German cities. For me it’s really sad and it can’t continue. Politicians have to do something and we as society as well. We have to stand together and fight it.”

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid a flower at the scene on Friday morning.

He condemned “the brutality of this act” and said that it “leaves us stunned”.