By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-07-26 13:25:49 | Updated at 2026-08-08 18:30:04
1 week ago
Police have issued an update on the suspect of the Berlin pride car ramming attack, now revealed to be of Lebanese background, and was previously known to the police for a prior sentencing.
It comes as police have also confirmed interest in a second suspect, working with forces across the nation, acting "as quickly as possible".
Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital for the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations yesterday evening, before the suspect allegedly crashed a van and attacked attendees with a knife before fleeing on foot.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt today confirmed the suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, is a German citizen of Lebanese background, who was known to police and had previously "committed a number of crimes"
According to German media, he had previously tried to join the Islamic State group, having travelled to Lebanon in 2025, and was arrested on his return to Berlin.
The 21-year-old had been in pre-trial detention until May 2026 and was ordered to take part in a de-radicalisation programme.
Mr Dobrindt added: "Everything we are seeing here indicates that we have experienced an Islamist terror attack."
Ballout is said to be on the run, with a large number of officers from Berlin police and the federal police working to find him.
Additionally, Mr Dobrindt confirmed one person died and 29 people had been injured in the attack.
MORE TO FOLLOW...
