Taleb A.*, a 51-year-old Saudi-born doctor accused of driving a car into crowds at the Magdeburg Christmas market on 20 December 2024, has told the court he wishes to give prolonged testimony “for hours, perhaps days” as the trial resumes. Proceedings recommenced on Tuesday at the regional court in Magdeburg.
The defendant has acknowledged being the driver of the vehicle that struck pedestrians at a crossing and then ploughed into marketgoers. The attack killed six people and injured more than 300. He faces six counts of murder and 338 counts of attempted murder.
Taleb A. said he intends to answer questions from the court during his testimony. Throughout the hearings he has appeared from within a protective glass enclosure in the courtroom.
The trial, one of the largest in postwar Germany, is expected to last about 50 days, with sessions scheduled to continue at least until 12 March 2026. Meanwhile, Magdeburg’s Christmas market has not yet been granted permission to open amid criticism of its security plans; city officials say they hope enhanced measures will allow the market to proceed from 20 November.
DW does not publish full names of suspects in line with German privacy laws.