A trial began Monday for a man accused of attacking a Christmas market in the Eastern city in December in which six people were killed and more than 300 others were injured.
The suspect is a doctor from Saudi Arabia, named Talab A., according to German privacy laws.
He is accused of driving a BMW rental car at speeds of up to 48km/H (29mph) through the market in the center of Magdeburg on 20 December 2024.
Prosecutors said the attack took place at 19:02 local time when the market was packed with Christmas revelers – and lasted one minute and four seconds.
Taleb A., who is now 51 years old, will appear in the Magdeburg regional court accused of six people – a nine-year-old boy and five women between the ages of 45 and 75.
He was also charged with attempted murder in connection with another 338 people.
He faces charges of causing bodily harm to 309 people and causing dangerous interference with road traffic.
In a statement, the prosecutors of NAUburg in Saxony-Anhalt told Taleb A. “was not under the influence of the development and deterioration of the course and outcome of various criminal complaints and the failure of various criminal complaints”.
They said his intention was to “kill an incalculable number of people”. They said he planned and prepared the details of the crime for weeks without the help of associates.
Taleb A. has been in custody since the day of the crime. If he is found guilty, he faces life in prison for murder.
A temporary court was built in Magdeburg for his trial, due to the large number of victims.
Germany’s Christmas markets and festivals have been attacked before, mainly from extreme Islamists.
At the time of the attack, officials said Taleb A., was an “unusual” attacker.
A refugee from Saudi Arabia, Taleb A. is described as critical of Islam and he also expressed support on Social Media for the Far-One) Party, fighting the party fighting the same enemy “.