Ballout drove a van into a crowd at the Tiergarten near a Pride event venue and attacked with a bladed weapon, possibly a machete, seriously injuring many, with one woman killed and 29 people hurt, Dobrindt stated. Ballout was known to authorities for criminal activities, radicalization, and Islamist ties, which led to a previous conviction, said Dobrindt.
A WELT report indicated that Ballout was deemed a security threat, sentenced under German law for preparing violent acts threatening the state, and was court-ordered to attend de-radicalization counseling. Dobrindt expressed concern about the potential for copycat attacks but noted a low risk and urged federal states to tighten security to prevent such incidents.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, with European leaders offering condolences. Merz and Cabinet members attended a memorial, where Merz emphasized that the attacks aim to divide society and threaten openness and freedom. He stated the resolve to prevent terrorism from spreading in society.
This story has been updated.













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