Germany charges car attacker with attempted murder

By Erbil Basay

BERLIN

German prosecutors have charged a man with attempted murder after he his car into crowds, in what appears to be two xenophobic attacks.

According to a joint statement by Essen prosecutor’s office and police of Munster city, Andreas N., 50, a German national, was arrested after he rammed his vehicle into people celebrating the New Year in western Essen and Bottrop cities.

At least 8 people -- including five Syrians, two Afghans a Turkish citizen -- were injured in the attack.

Herbert Reul, Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, told local radio WDR5 there are no to suggest that the suspect is linked groups.

He may have committed the hate crime against foreigners due to his personal xenophobic tendencies, Reul added.

In a news conference in Berlin, Martina Fietz, government spokeswoman, said: “There is no place in Germany for extremism, xenophobia, and intolerance, no matter what side it comes from.”

Asked whether it was a terrorist attack, Soren Schmidt, spokesman for the German Interior Ministry, said: No, It’s an individual crime […] It is the duty of the investigating authorities to investigate it.”