Attack in Berlin
Germany Orders Manhunt for Tunisian Suspect
Germany has issued a manhunt order for a Tunisian man whose identity papers were found in the cab of the truck used in Monday's terrorist attack in Berlin. Deportation proceedings had been stalled because he lacked the necessary papers.
Germany is offering a 100,000-euro reward for information leading to the capture of suspect Anis Amri.
Foto: BKA
Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office issued a formal, Europe-wide manhunt order on Wednesday afternoon for a Tunisian man who is currently the main suspect in the terrorist attack on a Berlin Christmas market on Monday night. The man has been identified as 24-year-old Anis Amri and prosecutor's cited "strong suspicions" in the order.
The move came after investigators found an identity document in the cab of the semi-truck used in Monday's deadly attack. DER SPIEGEL and SPIEGEL TV reported earlier in the day that police had discovered an immigration document permitting the man, who was born in Tataouine and whose request for asylum had been rejected, to temporarily remain in Germany.
It is unclear when Amri arrived in Germany. Several entries have been found in government databases. What is known is that the suspect had been on the German authorities' radar for some time now. An entry relating to an undercover investigation of the man on Feb. 5 states, "Suspected ties with IS" and "intensive monitoring of the subject." Earlier this year, the authorities classified the man as a "potential threat," a category used by police to describe people the authorities believe could attack at any time. The German Interior Ministry has stated that 549 people across the country are currently classified as potential threats. They are the subject of frequent monitoring.
If the the person can be found, that is.
Foto: Britta Pedersen/ dpa
Fotostrecke
Photo Gallery: Germany Reacts to Terrorist Attack
The problem with Amri is that his registered residence is an asylum-seekers' hostel in the city of Emmerich in North Rhine-Westphalia. But the 23-year-old apparently was not only "highly mobile" in moving around a lot, but also used a number of aliases. In Berlin, he is known to authorities as Ahmad Z. or as Mohamed H. of Egypt. On another occasion, he claimed to be from Lebanon.
Failed Deportation
On July 30, police intercepted Amri during a check on a long-distance bus traveling in the city of Friedrichshafen. The police determined during the check that the Tunisian was subject to deportation. Following a ruling by the district court in Ravensburg, the man was moved to the local detention center pending his deportation. Two days later, however, the man was released and the deportation did not get carried out.
Officials were unable to complete the deportation because the Tunisian didn't have a passport and required passport replacement documents from the authorities in Tunisia before he could be repatriated, Interior Minister Jäger said Wednesday afternoon. Initially, Tunisian authorities disputed Amri's citizenship, and later there were delays in the delivery of the necessary documents.
"Tunisian authorities provided these today," the SPD politician stated, adding, "I do not want to comment any further on this circumstance."
Police at the Christmas market in Berlin where 12 people were killed.
Foto: ODD ANDERSEN/ AFP
Jäger also stated Wednesday that Amri's name had been placed on list of potential attackers compiled by the German government's counter-terrorism center. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is now investigating possible charges relating to the preparation of a serious act of violent subversion. Jäger said the investigation is being led by the Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin.
According to reporting by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and public broadcasters WDR and NDR, the police had wiretapped the suspect's telephone calls. It is unclear at the moment how security officials lost the suspect's trail.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Federal Prosecutor's Office issued a statement that it had officially commenced a manhunt for Amri. A reward of up to 100,000 euros is being offered for information leading to his arrest. But prosecutors have urged caution, noting that Amri may be "armed and violent." They are asking anyone with tips that could lead to his capture to inform officers at their nearest police station.
Wanted man: a handout on Anis Amri supplied by Germany's Federal Office of Criminal Investigation
Foto: DPA/ BKA
Police in Berlin have stated that they have received more than 500 tips since the attack and they have been pursuing a suspect who may be armed. A man who had been detained early in the investigation was released on Tuesday due to a lack of incriminating evidence.
Many questions still remain about Monday night's attack, which left 12 dead and 48 injured. Investigators believe that the Polish man who had been driving the truck prior to the attack was still alive when it happened. He only succumbed to a gunshot wound after emergency workers from the fire department arrived at the scene.
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Two days after Monday night's terrorist attack, the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz next to Berlin's Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a highly popular tourist attraction, remained closed to visitors. A suspect in the attack is still at large.
Foto: Britta Pedersen/ dpa
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On Tuesday night, the city's iconic Brandenburg Gate was lighted with the colors of the German flag. People around the world expressed their support for and solidarity with the victims, their families and Germany.
Foto: CLEMENS BILAN/ AFP
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In Berlin, the city government decided to increase the police presence in the capital. Police officers are to be equipped with Bodycams. Other cities are also strengthening security measures. This police vehicle is parked at the Christmas market in the northern German port city of Rostock.
Foto: Joachim Mangler/ dpa
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Monday's attack has sparked a fresh debate over security at the country's world-famous Christmas markets. In many cities, officials have ordered the placement of concrete barriers in order to prevent incidents like the semi-truck that plowed into a market crowd in Berlin, killing 12 and injuring 48. Here, workers can be seen adding security barriers at the annual Christmas market in Erfurt.
Foto:
WichmannTV/ dpa
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Police are also showing a stepped-up presence at other Christmas markets around the country. They have also been heavily armed like this police officer in Hildesheim.
Foto: Julian Stratenschulte/ dpa
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A moment of silence at the crime scene: On Tuesday, Berlin Mayor Michael Müller, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Berlin Senator for the Interior Andreas Geisel visited the site where a truck plowed into the Christmas market crowd.
Foto: Sean Gallup
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Candles and flowers for the victims. Twelve people died in the terrorist attack and nearly 50 were injured, including 14 with life-threatening injuries.
Foto: Sean Gallup/ Getty Images
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Thoughts for the dead and injured in the stadium: Players with Borussia Mönchengladbach prayed for the victims of the Berlin attack before their match on Tuesday.
Foto: Marius Becker/ dpa
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A memorial service was held for the victims of the Berlin attacks at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Religious officials from a number of faiths, including Judaism, Islam and Greek Orthodox, participated in the service at the church located at the site of the Christmas market.
Foto: Michael Kappeler/ dpa
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Solidarity in Poland: The word Berlin was displayed in lights on the facade of Warsaw's National Stadium. A Polish citizen who had been the original driver of the truck used in the attack was also killed during Monday's terrorist strike.
Foto: Pawel Supernak/ dpa
Police at the Christmas market in Berlin where 12 people were killed.
Foto: ODD ANDERSEN/ AFP
Wanted man: a handout on Anis Amri supplied by Germany's Federal Office of Criminal Investigation