This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/21/berlin-attack-police-suspect-christmas-market-live-updates
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Berlin attack: Germany issues European arrest warrant for new suspect – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.17pm GMT | |
| 16:17 | |
| Berlin’s state health ministry says 12 people are still being treated in hospital for very serious injuries sustained in the attack, among them an unspecified number in a critical condition, AP reports. | |
| It said that a number of people with lighter injuries are being discharged. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.22pm GMT | |
| 4.03pm GMT | |
| 16:03 | |
| AP says it has seen a European arrest warrant from Germany, which names the suspect as Anis Amri, as previously reported. | |
| It says Amri has Tunisian citizenship and was born in the town of Ghaza. But it lists multiple aliases, many of them variants on his name, and Egyptian and Lebanese citizenship as well. | |
| German authorities say they rejected the man’s asylum request in July. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.21pm GMT | |
| 4.00pm GMT | |
| 16:00 | |
| Suspect uses six aliases | |
| AP has a breaking news alert, which says the suspect has used six different aliases and three different nationalities and is considered “armed and dangerous”. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.21pm GMT | |
| 3.17pm GMT | 3.17pm GMT |
| 15:17 | 15:17 |
| Germany’s interior ministry has deleted a tweet in which it appeared to flout the advice of its minister, Thomas de Maizière, by speculating about the nationality of the suspect. | |
| Elena Cresci has this translation of the announcement about the deleted tweet: | |
| The use of a hashtag #Tunesier has led to confusion. For that we apologise. We did not want to contribute to any speculation. Its use was not meant as a confirmation of the nationality of the current suspect. Therefore, we have deleted the tweet. | |
| Earlier Maizière appealed to the media not to speculate about the suspect. | |
| In eigener Sache. pic.twitter.com/9pfPOCruee | In eigener Sache. pic.twitter.com/9pfPOCruee |
| Updated | |
| at 4.21pm GMT | |
| 3.10pm GMT | 3.10pm GMT |
| 15:10 | 15:10 |
| Here’s what we know so far: | Here’s what we know so far: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.19pm GMT | at 3.19pm GMT |
| 2.58pm GMT | 2.58pm GMT |
| 14:58 | 14:58 |
| Jäger confirmed that the suspect’s application for asylum was refused. | Jäger confirmed that the suspect’s application for asylum was refused. |
| According to a live translation provided by Sky News he said: | According to a live translation provided by Sky News he said: |
| It is not yet established that the suspect was part of the attack. We in North Rhine-Westphalia have been supporting the state prosecutor in his aim of finding and detaining suspects. We must not endanger the action to detain the suspect, so we can’t give you any information. | It is not yet established that the suspect was part of the attack. We in North Rhine-Westphalia have been supporting the state prosecutor in his aim of finding and detaining suspects. We must not endanger the action to detain the suspect, so we can’t give you any information. |
| I can give the following information about the suspect: Since February 2016 he has been living in Berlin. He was briefly in North Rhine-Westphalia before that. The security services have exchanged information regarding him in November. The federal police issued a warning that he was posing a danger. | I can give the following information about the suspect: Since February 2016 he has been living in Berlin. He was briefly in North Rhine-Westphalia before that. The security services have exchanged information regarding him in November. The federal police issued a warning that he was posing a danger. |
| In June 2016 his asylum application was rejected. He could not be deported because he did not have any valid identity papers. Tunisia initially denied that he was a citizen on Tunisia. His identity papers arrived today - I don’t want to comment further on this fact. | In June 2016 his asylum application was rejected. He could not be deported because he did not have any valid identity papers. Tunisia initially denied that he was a citizen on Tunisia. His identity papers arrived today - I don’t want to comment further on this fact. |
| Anis Amri's application for asylum was rejected in June this year but he could not be deported because he didn't possess correct papers | Anis Amri's application for asylum was rejected in June this year but he could not be deported because he didn't possess correct papers |
| NRW interior min says suspect couldn't be deported because Tunisia initially denied he was Tunisian citizen. Required docs arrived... today | NRW interior min says suspect couldn't be deported because Tunisia initially denied he was Tunisian citizen. Required docs arrived... today |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.59pm GMT | at 2.59pm GMT |
| 2.46pm GMT | 2.46pm GMT |
| 14:46 | 14:46 |
| Ralf Jäger, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, where police have been hunting the main suspect, has been giving a press conference. | Ralf Jäger, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, where police have been hunting the main suspect, has been giving a press conference. |
| He is reported to have said that the main suspect was due to have been deported. | He is reported to have said that the main suspect was due to have been deported. |
| NRW-Innenminister Jäger: Tatverdächtiger sollte abgeschoben werden. Scheiterte an fehlenden Papieren. #Breitscheidplatz | NRW-Innenminister Jäger: Tatverdächtiger sollte abgeschoben werden. Scheiterte an fehlenden Papieren. #Breitscheidplatz |
| Market attack suspect arrived in Germany in July 2015, according to interior minister of NRW where he lived | Market attack suspect arrived in Germany in July 2015, according to interior minister of NRW where he lived |
| He was seen as a threat by several security agencies - Jäger | He was seen as a threat by several security agencies - Jäger |
| 2.10pm GMT | 2.10pm GMT |
| 14:10 | 14:10 |
| An Italian woman is feared to be among the 12 victims of the Berlin lorry attack. | An Italian woman is feared to be among the 12 victims of the Berlin lorry attack. |
| Fabrizia Di Lorenzo, 31, has not been heard from since the attack and it is understood her phone and metro pass were found at the scene. | Fabrizia Di Lorenzo, 31, has not been heard from since the attack and it is understood her phone and metro pass were found at the scene. |
| She is believed to have been living in Berlin and her family have flown there to give samples of their DNA. Her father told the Italian daily Repubblica that the family were waiting for news, but had “no illusions” about her fate. | She is believed to have been living in Berlin and her family have flown there to give samples of their DNA. Her father told the Italian daily Repubblica that the family were waiting for news, but had “no illusions” about her fate. |
| It points out that in some of her last Twitter posting Di Lorenzo spoke against racial discrimination and urged her followers not to confuse terrorism with immigration. | It points out that in some of her last Twitter posting Di Lorenzo spoke against racial discrimination and urged her followers not to confuse terrorism with immigration. |
| Bauman: che errore sovrapporreil terrorismo all’immigrazione https://t.co/w9XWAtWNIX | Bauman: che errore sovrapporreil terrorismo all’immigrazione https://t.co/w9XWAtWNIX |
| 1.53pm GMT | 1.53pm GMT |
| 13:53 | 13:53 |
| De Maizière confirmed that a “pan-European” search is underway for the suspect of Monday’s attack. | De Maizière confirmed that a “pan-European” search is underway for the suspect of Monday’s attack. |
| #deMaizière: "Wir ermitteln mit Hochdruck in alle Richtungen, nach einem Tatverdächtigen wird europaweit gefahndet." #Tunesier #BerlinAttack | #deMaizière: "Wir ermitteln mit Hochdruck in alle Richtungen, nach einem Tatverdächtigen wird europaweit gefahndet." #Tunesier #BerlinAttack |
| 1.47pm GMT | 1.47pm GMT |
| 13:47 | 13:47 |
| Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, has urged the media not to speculate about the hunt for the suspect. | Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, has urged the media not to speculate about the hunt for the suspect. |
| In a brief comments confirming that a new suspect was being sought, he told reporters: “It is important that we find this suspect, and that’s why it is important to carry out an undercover search. We are gathering the data and the all the evidence. | In a brief comments confirming that a new suspect was being sought, he told reporters: “It is important that we find this suspect, and that’s why it is important to carry out an undercover search. We are gathering the data and the all the evidence. |
| “So I ask for your understanding not to issue any speculation about this person. I cannot confirm nor deny information. We will let you know further information when we have further facts, and not before. What is important is the result and not the speed of speculation.” | “So I ask for your understanding not to issue any speculation about this person. I cannot confirm nor deny information. We will let you know further information when we have further facts, and not before. What is important is the result and not the speed of speculation.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.01pm GMT | at 2.01pm GMT |
| 1.34pm GMT | 1.34pm GMT |
| 13:34 | 13:34 |
| The Islamic State group’s Amaq news agency has published an English version of its claim of responsibility for Monday’s attack. | The Islamic State group’s Amaq news agency has published an English version of its claim of responsibility for Monday’s attack. |
| Here's the English version of IS's claim of responsibility for the truck attack at the Christmas market in #Berlin via Amaq pic.twitter.com/ci15q0Orcn | Here's the English version of IS's claim of responsibility for the truck attack at the Christmas market in #Berlin via Amaq pic.twitter.com/ci15q0Orcn |
| 1.27pm GMT | 1.27pm GMT |
| 13:27 | 13:27 |
| The German government has agreed new legislation to strengthen video surveillance. | The German government has agreed new legislation to strengthen video surveillance. |
| The move has been planned for months but was approved by the cabinet as police have been scrambling for CCTV footage of Monday’s attack. | The move has been planned for months but was approved by the cabinet as police have been scrambling for CCTV footage of Monday’s attack. |
| The proposed law would make data protection commissioners give greater weight than before to “the protection of life, health and freedom” when deciding whether to permit video surveillance in public places. | The proposed law would make data protection commissioners give greater weight than before to “the protection of life, health and freedom” when deciding whether to permit video surveillance in public places. |
| Germany has restrictive data protection rules and a suspicion of surveillance. | Germany has restrictive data protection rules and a suspicion of surveillance. |
| 1.19pm GMT | 1.19pm GMT |
| 13:19 | 13:19 |
| Officials in North Rhine-Westphalia, where police have been hunting the main suspect, are due to give a press conference at 3.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT). | Officials in North Rhine-Westphalia, where police have been hunting the main suspect, are due to give a press conference at 3.30pm local time (2.30pm GMT). |
| The state’s interior minister, Ralf Jaeger, is due make a statement. | The state’s interior minister, Ralf Jaeger, is due make a statement. |
| NRW-Innenminister Jäger will sich gegen 15.30 Uhr zum neuen Verdächtigen äußern. #Breitscheidplatz | NRW-Innenminister Jäger will sich gegen 15.30 Uhr zum neuen Verdächtigen äußern. #Breitscheidplatz |
| 12.53pm GMT | 12.53pm GMT |
| 12:53 | 12:53 |
| More details are also emerging about Abu Walaa, the “faceless preacher”, who is linked to the main suspect in the Christmas Market attack. | More details are also emerging about Abu Walaa, the “faceless preacher”, who is linked to the main suspect in the Christmas Market attack. |
| He was arrested in November with four others over suspicions that he recruited young Muslims to travel to Syria to fight for Isis, according to a report in the Local citing a report in the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. | He was arrested in November with four others over suspicions that he recruited young Muslims to travel to Syria to fight for Isis, according to a report in the Local citing a report in the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. |
| Abu Walaa is alleged to have given sermons in the mosque encouraging people to travel to Syria to fight. | Abu Walaa is alleged to have given sermons in the mosque encouraging people to travel to Syria to fight. |
| SZ reports that [the] arrests were made possible by a statement given by a 22-year-old who returned to Germany in September after fighting for Isis in Syria. | SZ reports that [the] arrests were made possible by a statement given by a 22-year-old who returned to Germany in September after fighting for Isis in Syria. |
| In an interview with SZ while still in Turkey, the young man had described Abu Walaa as “Isis’ number one in Germany.” | In an interview with SZ while still in Turkey, the young man had described Abu Walaa as “Isis’ number one in Germany.” |
| Several German outlets reporting suspect had ties to Salafist network around "faceless preacher" Ahmad Abdulaziz Abdullah A, aka "Abu Walaa" | Several German outlets reporting suspect had ties to Salafist network around "faceless preacher" Ahmad Abdulaziz Abdullah A, aka "Abu Walaa" |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.53pm GMT | at 12.53pm GMT |
| 12.44pm GMT | 12.44pm GMT |
| 12:44 | 12:44 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| Kate Connolly has more on what we know about the new suspect Anis A. | Kate Connolly has more on what we know about the new suspect Anis A. |
| He has links to Salafist groups in western Germany. He is known to police as a dangerous person and is embedded in the Islamist network. | He has links to Salafist groups in western Germany. He is known to police as a dangerous person and is embedded in the Islamist network. |
| Police say they’re carrying out extensive checks in the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) where he was registered. | Police say they’re carrying out extensive checks in the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) where he was registered. |
| He is 23, was born in Tataouine in 1992 and has used at least 4 aliases in the past. | He is 23, was born in Tataouine in 1992 and has used at least 4 aliases in the past. |
| In the summer he came to police attention over a GBH offence but he went underground before they were able to arrest him.Police believe he is injured, possibly badly, and are scouring German hospitals to try and find him. | In the summer he came to police attention over a GBH offence but he went underground before they were able to arrest him.Police believe he is injured, possibly badly, and are scouring German hospitals to try and find him. |
| DNA traces from the driver found in the car have been secured. Anis A has addresses both in Berlin and NRW. | DNA traces from the driver found in the car have been secured. Anis A has addresses both in Berlin and NRW. |
| 12.39pm GMT | 12.39pm GMT |
| 12:39 | 12:39 |
| Philip Oltermann | Philip Oltermann |
| A police press conference that had been due to take place at 1pm (12 GMT) has been delayed, writes Philip Oltermann. | A police press conference that had been due to take place at 1pm (12 GMT) has been delayed, writes Philip Oltermann. |
| In the meantime, more detail has emerged about the suspect Anis A from two seemingly well-sourced pieces in Sueddeutsche and from state broadcaster Tagesschau. | In the meantime, more detail has emerged about the suspect Anis A from two seemingly well-sourced pieces in Sueddeutsche and from state broadcaster Tagesschau. |
| He is said to have arrived in Italy in 2012, and came to Germany in July 2015, where he applied for asylum. | He is said to have arrived in Italy in 2012, and came to Germany in July 2015, where he applied for asylum. |
| Since April 2016 his status has been that of Duldung or “temporary suspension of deportation”, which means his application was rejected but he hasn’t been forcefully evicted. | Since April 2016 his status has been that of Duldung or “temporary suspension of deportation”, which means his application was rejected but he hasn’t been forcefully evicted. |
| He was reportedly arrested by police in Friedrichshafen in August this year, and found to be carrying a fake Italian ID document. He had been registered at an asylum shelter in Emmerich on the Rhine, on the Dutch-German border. | He was reportedly arrested by police in Friedrichshafen in August this year, and found to be carrying a fake Italian ID document. He had been registered at an asylum shelter in Emmerich on the Rhine, on the Dutch-German border. |
| He had contacts with the circle around the hate preacher Ahmad Abdelazziz A., also known as Abu Walaa, who was arrested in November. | He had contacts with the circle around the hate preacher Ahmad Abdelazziz A., also known as Abu Walaa, who was arrested in November. |
| Sueddeutsche reports that Anis A’s telecommunications had been watched by German intelligence agencies but that he disappeared off the radar in December. He had reportedly approached a man who worked as a police source in North-Rhine Westphalia to enquire about obtaining weapons. | Sueddeutsche reports that Anis A’s telecommunications had been watched by German intelligence agencies but that he disappeared off the radar in December. He had reportedly approached a man who worked as a police source in North-Rhine Westphalia to enquire about obtaining weapons. |
| 12.30pm GMT | 12.30pm GMT |
| 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Alexander Ritzmann, director the European Foundation for Democracy and chairman of the European Commission’s Radicalisation Awareness Network, said that if the suspect left identity documents in the truck that could point to a terrorist attack. | Alexander Ritzmann, director the European Foundation for Democracy and chairman of the European Commission’s Radicalisation Awareness Network, said that if the suspect left identity documents in the truck that could point to a terrorist attack. |
| Speaking to BBC News, he said: “It would fit into the pattern of terrorist organisations to leave behind documents. They are not supposed to hide the identities of the attackers or hide the organisation that commits the attack.” | Speaking to BBC News, he said: “It would fit into the pattern of terrorist organisations to leave behind documents. They are not supposed to hide the identities of the attackers or hide the organisation that commits the attack.” |
| He added: “Terrorism is an extreme form of political communication so they supposed to explain what they did, how they did it and why they did it.” | He added: “Terrorism is an extreme form of political communication so they supposed to explain what they did, how they did it and why they did it.” |
| He also noted that Christmas markets have been targeted by extremists for “years”. | He also noted that Christmas markets have been targeted by extremists for “years”. |
| 12.14pm GMT | 12.14pm GMT |
| 12:14 | 12:14 |
| German media have published pictures of the new suspect with his eyes covered or pixelated. | German media have published pictures of the new suspect with his eyes covered or pixelated. |
| Image of Berlin market attack suspect, Anis A. or Ahmed A. according to @Bild. 24 year old Tunisian registered in NRW pic.twitter.com/BJO0GjHWBH | Image of Berlin market attack suspect, Anis A. or Ahmed A. according to @Bild. 24 year old Tunisian registered in NRW pic.twitter.com/BJO0GjHWBH |
| Nach dem Anschlag in Berlin fahndet die Polizei bundesweit nach dem verdächtigten Tunesier… https://t.co/BlpDcEn6Sw pic.twitter.com/vfg6Ekzz4D | Nach dem Anschlag in Berlin fahndet die Polizei bundesweit nach dem verdächtigten Tunesier… https://t.co/BlpDcEn6Sw pic.twitter.com/vfg6Ekzz4D |
| 12.07pm GMT | 12.07pm GMT |
| 12:07 | 12:07 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Welcome to Wednesday’s live coverage of the manhunt for the suspect or suspects in the Christmas market attack in Berlin. Here is what we know: | Welcome to Wednesday’s live coverage of the manhunt for the suspect or suspects in the Christmas market attack in Berlin. Here is what we know: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.20pm GMT | at 3.20pm GMT |