Germany: Christmas market incident was probable attack

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

The sole suspect arrested by German police in connection with a deadly truck attack in Berlin has been released due to insufficient evidence, while Daesh terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Federal Prosecutor's Office said in a press release on Tuesday that it has ordered the release of the suspect due to the lack of strong evidence linking him to the suspected attack on a Christmas market on Monday that killed at least 12 and injured nearly 50 others.

A 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker was arrested on Monday night by the police, on the suspicion that he drove the truck through the crowds near the historical Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Earlier on Tuesday, Germany’s top federal prosecutor Peter Frank said authorities were investigating a suspected terror attack, as indications show that the truck was intentionally steered into the crowd.

“For the time being, we still do not know with certainty, whether there was one perpetrator or more,” he told a press conference in Berlin.

“We must also get used to the idea that, at the end of the investigation, it might be clear that the suspect who was temporarily arrested last night, who is a citizen of Pakistan, may not have been the perpetrator or belong to the group of perpetrators,” he added.

Daesh claims responsibility

While German authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the perpetrator or the perpetrators could still be at large, Daesh terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement widely traded on the social media platforms.

"A soldier belongs to the Islamic State carried out the Berlin's attack, which came in reaction to targeting our peoples by the coalition's countries," the statement read.

Germany has recently increased its military support for the U.S.-led coalition to fight Daesh, but ruled out a combat role for German forces.

Merkel promises full investigation

Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed shock and deep sorrow on Tuesday for the deadly attack, but also vowed that Germany will not bow to terrorism.

“We still don't know many details with certainty, but at this stage we have to presume that this was a terrorist attack,” Merkel told reporters.

She stressed the German government would take all necessary measures, but not let terrorists force the public to change their lifestyle.

“We will find the strength to live our lives in Germany the way we want it -- free, together and open,” she said.

Merkel promised a full investigation into the incident and said those involved would be punished using the full strength of the law.

Obama called Merkel

During a Monday night call with Merkel, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed condolences "for the horrific apparent terrorist attack," the White House said.

Obama further restated the U.S. offer to assist German officials as they investigate the tragedy "and underscored that no attack could sway our determination--and that of our German allies--to defeat terrorism in all of its forms."

"The President expressed his appreciation for Chancellor Merkel's steadfast leadership in our shared efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism and defend our way of life," the White House said in a Tuesday readout of the call.

Christmas markets closed on Tuesday

Authorities in Berlin demanded the closure of Christmas markets on Tuesday, to demonstrate respect for the victims of the suspected attack.

Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere underlined that Christmas markets in Berlin and across Germany will remain open in the coming days.

“We are not moving back, we will not let our lives to be determined by fear,” he told a press conference in Berlin.

De Maiziere said a meeting of interior ministers of federal states agreed to keep the markets open and evaluate possible additional security on a case-by-case basis.

Around 2,500 Christmas markets across Germany are popular attractions and are visited by millions of people during the last months of the year.

* Anadolu Agency Washington Correspondent Michael Hernandez contributed to this report