Belgium’s outgoing Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt has confirmed that there is no evidence linking the deadly Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, to Belgium.
The attack, which occurred on December 22, 2024, left five dead and over 200 injured. Authorities have closely monitored the situation, but there is currently no concrete threat, Van Tigchelt assured the public on Sunday during an appearance on the Zevende Dag (VRT) program.
The attack in Magdeburg, which involved a car-ramming at the city’s Christmas market, has raised concerns across Europe, but Belgian officials are adamant that no direct connection exists.
“What happened in Magdeburg remains highly unusual, and there is no reason to panic,” Van Tigchelt said. Despite this, he acknowledged that copycat incidents can never be entirely ruled out, although no specific threat has been identified in Belgium.
The suspect in the Magdeburg attack is a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, who had been living in a nearby small town. According to German authorities, the suspect had no known links to jihadist groups. Instead, his profile indicated a potential alignment with far-right ideologies.
Authorities believe he was displeased with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany and had sympathies with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and even Elon Musk. His motivations remain under investigation.
Belgium’s Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM) is keeping the situation under close surveillance, though there is no indication of any immediate threat.
Van Tigchelt added that Belgium’s OCAM list does not include anyone with a profile similar to the Magdeburg suspect.
“There is no one on this list who is or was Muslim and who has converted to right-wing extremism,” he explained. However, he did confirm that approximately 50 individuals with extreme right-wing profiles are being monitored by Belgian authorities.
In a statement to VTM Nieuws, outgoing Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) echoed the sentiment of her colleague, stressing that while no direct link to the Magdeburg incident has been found, authorities will remain vigilant.
“We are not naive,” Verlinden said, acknowledging the potential for copycat behavior. “We have seen similar acts in the past, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The attack in Magdeburg has left a lasting mark on the city, with a makeshift memorial set up near Johannes Church, where the tragedy took place. Fire department personnel were seen standing at the site as the community mourned the victims.
The event has sparked renewed debates about the potential rise of far-right extremism and the vulnerabilities of Christmas markets, which have previously been targeted by similar attacks.
As the investigation into the Magdeburg attack continues, Belgian authorities are taking no chances and continue to assess any potential risks.
While no immediate danger is suspected, both Van Tigchelt and Verlinden reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to maintaining national security and keeping the public informed of any emerging threats.
