Afghan Man Behind Munich Car Attack Was Denied Asylum, Had Criminal Record
Munich, Germany – The young Afghan man who drove his car into a crowd in Munich, injuring at least 28 people, was a rejected asylum seeker with a criminal record, according to Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann.
The man, identified as a 27-year-old Afghan national, had entered Germany as an asylum seeker. However, his application was "likely" rejected, Herrmann said.
Despite the rejected asylum application, the man was allowed to remain in Germany because "at the moment, he cannot be deported and therefore has been allowed to stay in our country," Herrmann explained.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but authorities have determined that the man had previous convictions for drug offenses and shoplifting. However, there were no indications of prior violent behavior.
According to police, the man drove his car past a police barrier and into a demonstration organized by the Verdi trade union, injuring at least 28 people, some of whom sustained serious injuries. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder described the incident as a suspected attack.
Herrmann criticized the German government’s long-standing reluctance to deport rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan, despite his repeated calls for such action. He noted that the federal government had only once ordered the deportation of serious criminals to Afghanistan.
"Otherwise, the line in Berlin has been that deportations to Afghanistan are not possible," Herrmann said. "As a result, thousands of Afghans with rejected asylum applications have not been deported, even though many have their applications approved in the end."
The incident in Munich has raised concerns about the safety of Afghan asylum seekers in Germany and the effectiveness of the country’s asylum system.
Additional Details Emerge
As the investigation into the Munich car attack progresses, new details are emerging about the suspect and the incident.
According to German media reports, the suspect had been living in a shelter for asylum seekers in Munich for several months. He reportedly had psychological problems and was receiving treatment.
Police are also investigating whether the suspect was motivated by Islamist extremism. They have seized his phone and laptop for analysis.
The German government has condemned the attack and pledged to take all necessary measures to protect citizens from further threats.
Implications for Asylum Policy
The Munich car attack is likely to fuel the debate about Germany’s asylum policy and the challenges associated with integrating refugees into German society.
Some politicians are calling for stricter asylum laws and increased deportations of rejected asylum seekers. Others argue that the focus should be on providing support and integration opportunities for refugees.
The German government is expected to announce new measures to address these concerns in the coming weeks.
