Staff Reports
In a deeply unsettling incident that has shocked Munich and reverberated across Germany, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd of demonstrators on February 13, 2025, leaving 28 people injured, including children. The attack occurred near Munich’s central train station during a peaceful protest organized by the Verdi trade union, which was advocating for better wages and working conditions for childcare workers. Authorities have described the event as a “suspected attack,” with counter-terrorism police now leading the investigation.
The driver, identified as Farhad N., was apprehended at the scene after police fired a shot to stop the vehicle. Known to authorities for prior offenses such as shoplifting and drug possession, Farhad’s asylum application had been rejected but deportation was suspended due to security concerns in Afghanistan. Investigators are examining whether extremist motives played a role, as reports suggest social media posts by the suspect hinted at Islamist sympathies. However, officials have stated that the victims of the attack appear to have been targeted randomly.
This tragic event comes just one day before the high-profile Munich Security Conference, where global leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are set to convene. While authorities have stressed that there is no connection between the attack and the conference, the incident has heightened security concerns in the city and reignited debates over Germany’s immigration policies.
The attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence involving asylum seekers in Germany. In recent months, similar incidents have occurred, including a fatal stabbing spree in Bavaria last month and an attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg in December. These events have fueled public anxiety and bolstered support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has surged to its highest-ever polling numbers ahead of federal elections later this month. The AfD has capitalized on growing discontent over immigration policies, calling for stricter border controls and expedited deportations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as “horrible” and vowed that the perpetrator would face justice. He also announced plans to resume deportation flights to Afghanistan despite diplomatic challenges. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder echoed these sentiments, describing the incident as a “slap in the face” and emphasizing the need for decisive action against such acts of violence.
As Munich prepares to host world leaders for critical discussions on global security, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for addressing domestic safety concerns. For many Germans, the incident is not just an isolated act of violence but a stark reminder of deeper issues surrounding integration, public safety, and government accountability. With federal elections looming, these questions will undoubtedly shape both public discourse and political outcomes in the weeks ahead.
