Mammoth trial in Magdeburg: New court for attack on Christmas market!

Mammoth trial in Magdeburg: New court for attack on Christmas market!

In Magdeburg, the judiciary is being prepared for a mammoth trial involving Adolf Taleb A., which is considered one of the most serious attacks in German post-war history. The 50-year-old suspect, a Saudi, faces serious charges, including six counts of murder and 329 counts of attempted murder. To meet these specific needs, a temporary courthouse is currently being constructed. Work on this will begin next week at Jerichower Platz, where a meadow was last used in 2016, which is now making way for the construction of an interim court, which is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Meetingpoint reports, that the building will have a maximum capacity of 700 people.

The court building will be constructed using lightweight construction and will score points with a comprehensive infrastructure: it includes hearing rooms, consultation rooms, press areas, sanitary facilities, security areas and even a holding room for the defendant as well as a police headquarters. The target budget for construction and operation during the process is estimated to be between three and five million euros. It is also interesting that the Saxony-Anhalt judiciary emphasizes the importance of this measure in order to ensure an orderly and transparent procedure said the people's voice.

Big challenge for the judiciary

The dimensions of this procedure go beyond the known limits, according to Justice Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU). In fact, the existing courtrooms in Saxony-Anhalt are simply not sufficient for the large number of parties involved in the proceedings, co-plaintiffs and witnesses. A special working group was set up to find suitable alternatives. In addition, a Limburg specialist company was commissioned that already had experience with similar projects.

The temporary courthouse will have an area of ​​almost 5,000 square meters and will be winter-proof and storm- and hail-proof. The Ministry of Justice is in full swing with preparations to accommodate the hundreds of visitors and journalists from around the world expected due to the special circumstances and importance of the trial.

Investigations and prosecutions

The investigations against Taleb A. are being conducted by the Naumburg Public Prosecutor's Office. There is currently no indictment, but the public prosecutor's office expects a final order to be issued in the summer of 2025. Taleb A. is currently in custody. A preliminary forensic psychiatric report has shown that there are no signs of incapacity. The process is estimated to take around a year.

The state chairwoman of the White Ring, Kerstin Godenrath, emphasizes how important it is to take the concerns of victims and those affected into account, especially given the high tax burden caused by such extensive proceedings. The people's voice summarizes that the tragedy of this trial lies not only in the allegations themselves, but also in the consequences it has for society. The Saxony-Anhalt judiciary is determined to meet the challenges of the process in order to ensure a fair and transparent hearing.