The upcoming trial of Taleb A., accused of the devastating 2024 attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market, is set to be complicated by the defendant’s apparent intention to testify and present a highly contentious defense rooted in claims of “necessity” and elaborate conspiracy theories. Documents reviewed by “Stern” magazine and now influencing the anticipated legal proceedings, reveal a preliminary hearing where Taleb A. outlined his planned defense strategy and advanced a series of increasingly outlandish assertions.
The hearing, conducted just two weeks ago under the presiding judge in Magdeburg, allowed Taleb A. to preemptively address the charges leveled against him. Brought from the Berlin-Plötzensee detention facility, the 51-year-old, originally from Saudi Arabia, detailed his strategy, suggesting that he intends to invoke Paragraphs 34 and 35 of the German Criminal Code, potentially arguing for a legal exemption on the grounds of “necessity” – claiming his actions were the only way to avert an imminent threat to his life, liberty, or physical safety.
The three-hour transcript lays bare a deeply entrenched belief system shaped by years of immersion in conspiracy narratives. Taleb A. identifies himself as an Islam critic and presented a narrative portraying cooperation between German state authorities, refugee initiatives and the Saudi Arabian regime. He alleges this collaboration aims to suppress any Islamic criticism, extending to claims that the Magdeburg police attempted to kill Saudi asylum seekers. Central to his worldview is the belief in a vast conspiracy to Islamize Europe, of which he claims to be a target.
Remarkably, Taleb A.’s testimony escalated to the staggering assertion that he and not the driver of the vehicle, was responsible for the Christmas market attack. He contends that the official account of the events represents a betrayal of the victims and a manipulation of the truth.
Prior to the attack, Taleb A. worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, a detail that will likely be scrutinized throughout the trial. He repeatedly expressed feeling dehumanized in his interactions with police, courts and government agencies, despite his own history of issuing threats dating back to 2023. He maintains he consistently sought peaceful resolution.
According to the transcript, on the day of the attack, Taleb A. reportedly visited an “Edeka” supermarket around 4:00 PM, claiming to have mentally prepared himself for death, anticipating being shot by the police. This, he stated, would have also ended the suffering he could no longer endure.
The attack itself, which occurred on December 20th, 2024, saw a heavy BMW SUV deliberately driven into a crowd at the Magdeburg Christmas market, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries, many of them life-threatening. The trial, commencing Monday at the Magdeburg Regional Court, promises to be a complex and politically charged affair, with the defendant’s testimony likely to generate considerable debate surrounding responsibility, mental state and the potential for political manipulation of the tragedy. The potential for the “necessity” defense and his extreme claims will undoubtedly place immense pressure on the prosecution and raise profound questions about the legal framework for dealing with individuals espousing such deeply radical beliefs.
