DistantNews
Support us
Harsh criticism after Berlin attack: 'Why was he at liberty?'
🇸🇪 Sweden /Conflict & Security

Harsh criticism after Berlin attack: 'Why was he at liberty?'

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Criticism is mounting against German authorities after a suspected terrorist, previously convicted of terror preparation, carried out an attack.
  • The 21-year-old suspect, who had joined IS in Syria, was on probation for terror-related offenses when he drove a van into a crowd at a Pride event in Berlin.
  • Officials are questioning why the individual was not detained, given his known extremist ties and prior conviction.

Sharp criticism is being directed at German authorities following a deadly attack at a Pride event in Berlin, with many questioning how the suspected perpetrator, a known IS sympathizer, was at liberty.

The 21-year-old, identified as Abdul Ballout, was convicted in May for terror-related offenses, including attempting to join IS in Syria. He received a 22-month suspended sentence and was reportedly known to police for violent crimes since his teenage years, and more recently as a jihadist.

Despite these known risks, Ballout was on probation when he allegedly drove a van into a crowd on Saturday, killing one Polish woman and injuring around 30 others. He was shot dead by police the following day.

Unfortunately, the court issued a suspended sentence. I don't want to comment on that, the judiciary is independent, but I am actually speechless.

— Kai WegnerBerlin's mayor expressing shock and criticism regarding the suspect's prior sentencing.

"Unfortunately, the court issued a suspended sentence. I don't want to comment on that, the judiciary is independent, but I am actually speechless," said Kai Wegner, Berlin's mayor, expressing dismay over the handling of the case. Sven Schulze, the state premier of Saxony-Anhalt, echoed these sentiments, asking, "When one looks at this, one must ask the question: Why is this person at liberty?"

German media reported that the court applied juvenile laws, assessing Ballout to have a low level of maturity. He was released from custody and enrolled in a deradicalization program, despite prosecutors seeking a stricter, non-suspended sentence. A second suspect, initially detained, was released after prosecutors found insufficient evidence against him.

When one looks at this, one must ask the question: Why is this person at liberty?

— Sven SchulzeThe state premier of Saxony-Anhalt questioning the suspect's freedom prior to the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog