Overview

• The Landgericht Magdeburg classified the December 20, 2024 vehicle attack as a state-security matter and referred the case to the Generalbundesanwalt for possible takeover.
• The federal prosecutor initially declined jurisdiction citing personal motives, but must now decide by Oct. 9 whether to assume the case.
• If Karlsruhe takes over, the trial would move to the Oberlandesgericht Naumburg and the planned Oct. 22 start would likely slip, though the new 700-seat hall in Magdeburg could still host proceedings.
• The judges cite a March 2025 prison letter in which Taleb A. confessed and vowed revenge on Germans, plus earlier threats and an alleged plan to attack the Magdeburg prosecutor’s office with 20–50 gas cylinders.
• The attack left six dead and more than 300 injured; the indictment alleges six murders, attempted murder in 338 cases, dangerous bodily harm and dangerous interference with road traffic, and the court says it will open the case on Oct. 13 if no federal takeover occurs.