Suspected Deliberate Car Attack at a Munich Union Demonstration

A car deliberately rammed into a large union demonstration in central Munich, injuring many protestors including children and leaving at least two people in critical condition. The chaotic scene unfolded when a Mini Cooper, weaving through police vehicles, crashed into the crowd during a protest organized by the Verdi trade union, which had drawn approximately 2,500 strikers and supporters. This attack, occurring near the venue of the upcoming Munich Security Conference, has prompted officials to treat the act as a deliberate assault.

Police quickly arrested the suspect, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker named Farhad Noori, whose home was raided for further investigation. Despite his asylum claim having been rejected, authorities had not deported him due to evolving security concerns in Afghanistan. Known to law enforcement for previous drug-related offences and shoplifting, Noori now faces intense scrutiny as investigators consider the broader implications of repetitive attacks by immigrants, especially in light of recent incidents elsewhere in Germany.

Political leaders and local officials expressed shock and condemned the violence, emphasizing that acts of aggression against peaceful demonstrations will not be tolerated. High-ranking figures, including Germany’s Chancellor and Bavarian officials, stated that the perpetrator must face strict penalties and leave the country. In response to the traumatic event, emergency services have been mobilized, traffic diversions set up, and psychological support offered to those affected, all while the investigation continues amid heightened political debates over migration policies ahead of the upcoming elections.