Berlin is reeling after a deadly attack on the fringes of its Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade on Saturday evening. One woman was killed and 29 people injured when a van drove into a crowd in the Tiergarten park, just a few hundred metres from the official demonstration route. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) confirmed on Sunday that the assault has been classified as an Islamist terrorist attack.
Speaking at the scene, Dobrindt said the suspect not only used the vehicle as a weapon but also attacked people with a machete afterwards. He described himself as “stunned and deeply shaken”. The CSD event was immediately called off. Four patients have since been discharged from the Charité hospital, while four remain in intensive care, though none are in a life-threatening condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Chancellor Merz: 'We will defend freedom'
On Sunday afternoon, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) attended a church service at St Mary's Church on Alexanderplatz alongside Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD). Before the service, Merz declared: “We will defend freedom” and will not allow “this poison of terrorism and this poison directed against our freedom to spread further in our society”. He promised that every effort would be made to apprehend those responsible quickly, and that the federal government would examine the consequences and take appropriate decisions. “Perpetrators of such crimes have no place at the heart of our society,” Merz added, stressing that the response would be calm, deliberate, and determined, regardless of party-political differences.
The attack has reignited debates about security and integration across Germany. For a deeper analysis of the broader threat, see our piece on political Islam's challenge to open society.
The suspect: known to authorities
The suspect, identified as Abdul B., a 21-year-old German national of Lebanese origin, remains at large. According to Dobrindt, he was born in Germany in 2005 and was already known to security authorities for numerous offences. Investigative reports from Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR reveal that he had been classified as radicalised and prone to violence. He had attempted to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS) and was arrested at Berlin airport last year upon returning from Lebanon on suspicion of preparing a terrorist offence. He remained in pre-trial detention until May 2026.
Abdul B. was also enrolled in a deradicalisation programme, though he was still in the clearing phase. Die Welt reported that only two counselling sessions had taken place, with a third scheduled for the coming week. While he appeared polite and cooperative, doubts emerged about his genuine engagement with the process. Berlin police have warned the public not to approach him, as he may be armed and dangerous.
This incident follows a pattern of lone-actor attacks in European cities. For context on similar threats, see our report on a UK man sentenced for plotting an attack on a defence academy.
Governing Mayor Kai Wegner confirmed that the attack occurred outside the official CSD route, but noted that many people were still gathered nearby, either leaving the event or socialising. The tragedy has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and diversity. As Europe grapples with the persistent threat of extremism, Merz's pledge to defend freedom resonates beyond Berlin, underscoring the continent's ongoing struggle to balance security with open society values.
