Trial for attempted murder of Ver.di-Demo: Prosecutor calls for life imprisonment

A man accused of driving his car into a demonstration organized by Germany’s largest trade union, ver.di, in Munich in February 2025 faces life imprisonment after prosecutors formally requested the maximum penalty during a trial that has spanned more than 30 days. The attack killed two people, a mother and her young daughter, and injured 43 others, some seriously. The accused, a 24-year-old Afghan national at the time of the incident, was charged with two counts of murder, 22 attempted murders, and 19 cases of grievous bodily harm. Prosecutors argued that the defendant had deliberately targeted the crowd with lethal intent, exploiting their vulnerability and lack of preparedness. The trial began in January 2026 and has included testimony from victims, witnesses, emergency responders, and support workers who described the emotional and physical toll of the attack. On Tuesday, prosecutors delivered a two-hour closing argument, asserting that the accused had made the decision to commit such a crime the day before the demonstration. They claimed he had no prior knowledge of the event but acted out of malice and cowardice. His actions were deemed premeditated despite being carried out spontaneously, according to the prosecution. Prosecutors attributed the motive to religious radicalization, citing evidence that the accused had viewed extremist Islamic content online shortly before the attack and actively sought contact with individuals associated with radical ideologies. While they did not describe him as a classic Islamist, they stated he had undergone a clear process of ideological hardening. This belief was supported by the accused's repeated display of the right index finger in court, an act with religious significance in Islam, though also used as a symbol within extremist circles. Psychiatric experts testified that the accused suffered from a moderate personality disorder, characterized by feelings of isolation, anger, and anxiety. These conditions, according to the prosecution, fulfilled the legal criteria for low motives in the commission of the crimes. However, the court was informed that the accused was not considered legally insane at the time of the attack. The incident occurred near Munich Central Station when the accused drove his vehicle directly into the demonstration. The collision resulted in the deaths of a woman and her child, while many others sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. Survivors and family members have spoken publicly about the lasting impact of the attack, describing both physical recovery challenges and psychological trauma. During the proceedings, the families of the deceased chose not to attend the trial in person. Instead, they submitted a letter through their representatives, stating they wished to avoid focusing on the individual responsible for the tragedy and instead honor the memory of the victims. They emphasized the importance of preventing further hatred and political exploitation of the event. One survivor, who was severely injured in the attack and required surgery earlier this month, addressed the court directly, expressing how deeply the experience affected her. The trial continues with additional testimonies and legal arguments scheduled over the coming weeks. The court will consider all evidence presented before delivering its verdict. The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting concerns about security at large-scale demonstrations and the potential for radicalized individuals to carry out attacks in crowded urban areas.