Hungarian premier claims terrorist attacks in Europe linked to migrant crisis

SARAJEVO, Bosnia Herzegovina

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed on Saturday there is a connection between migration and attacks such as the one at a German Christmas market the day prior.

“These issues are no longer anomalies — they have become routine,” he said at an annual press conference in Budapest. “These events only began with the wave of mass migration. Hungary will not allow itself to become a nation where such attacks are the norm.”

Orban said: "Brussels cannot turn Hungary into Magdeburg. We will resist any forced migration regulations—legally or provocatively. Hungary will always defend itself and its sovereignty."

Separately, in a post on X, he expressed condolences over the loss of lives. “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Olaf Scholz and the people of Germany upon the heinous terrorist attack committed at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. We pray for the families of the victims.”

Death toll in Friday evening's car-ramming attack at the market in the city of Magdeburg rose to five, with 200 others injured, according to officials.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who visited the attack site earlier in the day, assured a thorough investigation, and pledged that Germany would respond “with the full force of the law.”

The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany since 2006, was arrested at the scene.

Identified by local media as Taleb A, the alleged attacker has been described as anti-Islam and supporter of far-right.