The police have given arrest warrant to Ballout, a 21-year-old German of Lebanese origin. Dobrindt said authorities are searching not only in the German capital, “but also in train stations, airports and German borders.”
According to the minister, the suspect drove into the crowd on the route through Tiergarten Park near the Pride main hall on Saturday evening before he “allegedly” attacked people with a sharp weapon, “believed to be a machete,” seriously injuring some of them.
Dobrindt confirmed the information immediately reported that one woman was killed and 29 people were injured, some of them in serious or life-threatening conditions.
He said the suspect “initially came to the attention of the authorities because of his numerous criminal convictions, his extremism, and his ties to the Islamic region.”
According to Dobrindt, the suspect’s extreme stance initially led to the conviction. According to a WELT report (like POLITICO, part of the Axel Springer group), the suspect had been classified as a security threat and convicted under the German Criminal Code for organizing a major act of violence and endangering the state.
WELT also reported that the court ordered Ballout to attend counseling sessions as part of a de-radicalization and prevention program.
