Germany tightens security
Immediately after the attack, leaders of some localities in Germany took steps to reassure people that the markets were still safe. Head of the Bavarian state interior agency Joachim Herrmann said on December 21 that the government will strengthen security at Christmas markets, according to Ntv Radio. In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, state interior minister Herbert Reul emphasized that security measures will be adjusted if necessary, adding that there are currently no specific signs of threat. Several other regions in Germany also have similar security assessments.
People placed flowers and candles to commemorate the victims at the Magdeburg Christmas market on December 21
The car crash into the market in Magdeburg City (Germany) on December 20 rang a warning bell about security for public events, especially with many activities taking place during Christmas. The incident evoked painful memories of Germans eight years ago, when a person crashed a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 13 people. Since then, security measures at the markets have been enhanced over the years. Police have deployed more uniformed and plainclothes officers, set up car barricades, installed security cameras and blocked pedestrian-only areas. Intelligence agencies also strengthen supervision and regularly coordinate closely with immigration management.
However, the attack on December 20 showed that the security corridor had holes. Magdeburg prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens said the attacker bypassed security checkpoints and used the space reserved for ambulances to rush into the market. Professor Peter Neumann (King’s College London – UK), commented to the newspaper The New York Times: “This will create a debate in Germany. The recent incident has shown that some link is not working.”
Countries are on alert
Immediately after the incident in Germany, Czech police announced increased security for Christmas markets, including increasing the installation of concrete barriers in the capital Prague. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan reassured that no signs of potential danger have been detected and that the government will deploy more police to patrol around vulnerable targets.
Meanwhile, the management board of the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham, one of the largest markets in the UK this holiday season, said it had reassessed security operations after the incident in Germany, according to the Wandsworth Times newspaper. . Local officials said the Frankfurt market has a tight security system, with the coordination of many agencies, including police and anti-terrorism forces, and officials will continue to increase vigilance.
Austrian officials also announced increased security, with a focus on protecting Christmas markets in Vienna and surrounding areas. Similarly, Luxembourg police said they are closely monitoring the situation in Germany and instructing units to assess the security situation in festival areas. Outside of Europe, New York City police (USA) announced to mobilize additional resources to Christmas markets as a preventive measure, NBC Radio reported.
Question mark for the German government
AFP said yesterday that the German government is facing questions about whether they were able to take precautions before the attack on the Christmas market. The Saudi Arabian security agency is said to have warned the German Intelligence Agency (BND) about the suspect’s threatening statements (identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a Saudi citizen, 50 years old). ). Die Welt newspaper, citing well-informed sources, said German police had assessed the risk for al-Abdulmohsen but concluded that this person “did not pose a specific danger”. German officials have not revealed the motive for the attack. However, Chief Prosecutor of Magdeburg City, Mr. Horst Walter Nopens stated that the suspect may be “unsatisfied” with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Magdeburg.