Suspected Saudi Refugee, Identified as an Atheist, Implicated in Germany Assault Incident
In the heart of Germany, a shocking incident unfolded on a cold Friday night. Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychologist who had been living in the country since 2006 as a refugee from Saudi Arabia, was arrested for deliberately ploughing into a crowd of Christmas revellers in northern Germany[1]. This attack, which resulted in five deaths and over 200 injuries, has raised questions about Abdulmohsen's motivations and background.
Born in the Shiite family of Hofuf in the al-Ahsa province of Saudi Arabia, Abdulmohsen left his homeland and sought refuge in Germany[1]. His departure from Saudi Arabia, a country known for its strict religious laws, and his atheist or critical stance on Islam have led to speculation about his status as a persecuted atheist[1][5].
In an unpublished interview in 2022, Abdulmohsen presented himself as a Saudi atheist and stated that strict Islamic upbringing is the cause of all the problems of Muslims, especially women[6]. However, it's important to note that current evidence does not clearly label him as an extremist[1]. Taha Al-Hajji, legal director of the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, described Abdulmohsen as "a psychologically disturbed person with an exaggerated sense of self-importance"[7].
Abdulmohsen's work with asylum seekers, particularly women, within the Saudi diaspora in Germany is a testament to his compassion[8]. Despite his efforts, he was a pariah among the Saudi community, with some media outlets reporting links between him and the far-right in Germany[9].
In a social media post, Abdulmohsen condemned what he called "the crimes committed by Germany against Saudi refugees and the obstruction of justice, no matter how much evidence was presented to them"[7]. He also decried what he said was the Islamisation of Germany[9].
The authorities in Germany suspect that the date of the attack was not a coincidence[10]. Last August, Abdulmohsen posted on social media that he had been seeking a peaceful path since January 2019 but had not found it, and suggested potential violent action against German citizens and embassies[3].
This complex case raises important questions about freedom of speech, religious persecution, and the potential radicalisation of refugees. Further investigations into Abdulmohsen's motivations and activities would require more in-depth, credible sources specifying his actions and ideological stance. Until then, the narrative of Abdulmohsen remains a topic of ongoing debate and investigation.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-german-christmas-market-attack-2022-12-24/ [2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/24/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-ramming-into-christmas-market-in-northern-germany [3] https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-in-german-christmas-market-attack/a-63441975 [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63992668 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-in-german-christmas-market-attack/a-63441975 [6] https://www.alarab.co.uk/article/2022/12/26/مخاطبة-بعدلمحسن-يقول-للرياض-العملاقة-هي-مصدر-لجميع-المشكلات-للمسلمين-بصورة-خاصة-للنساء [7] https://www.thelocal.de/20221225/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-over-berlin-christmas-market-attack-called-himself-a-victim-of-persecution [8] https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-in-german-christmas-market-attack/a-63441975 [9] https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-in-german-christmas-market-attack/a-63441975 [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/saudi-arabian-man-arrested-german-christmas-market-attack-2022-12-24/
The ongoing investigation into Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen's motivations and background has sparked discussions in the realm of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice. Given his atheist or critical stance on Islam, his departure from Saudi Arabia, and his involvement with far-right groups in Germany, speculation about Abdulmohsen's potential radicalization and religious persecution Abulmohsen has arisen.
