Despite the suspect's many statements expressing hostility to Islam, the head of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin Reichardt, said in a statement "the attack in Magdeburg shows that Germany is being drawn into political and religious fanaticism that has its origins in another world".

Taleb A., as the suspect arrested for the mass attack that left five dead and 200 injured on Friday in the German city of Magdeburg has been identified by the press, faces charges of murder and attempted murder,