‘Motorcyclists targeted’ in suspected Berlin terror attack
A suspect is arrested in Berlin after striking three motorcyclists with his car in what police are calling a deliberate act of violence against bikers
Three motorcyclists have been seriously injured after being rammed by a car in the city of Berlin in what police are calling a deliberate act of violence ‘hunting down motorcyclists’.
The three motorcyclists were hit by the suspect’s car on the A100 motorway at 19:00 local time on Tuesday evening with prosecutors since claiming it was an ‘Islamist-motivated attack’ according to the BBC.
Witnesses say the 30-year old Iraqi suspect claimed to have a ‘dangerous object’ inside a box of ammunition after placing it on the road. Work tools were later found inside.
The crashes happened separately from one another at different places just outside the centre of the German capital city, with police and prosecutors claiming it was a ‘deliberate attack on other road users’.
The suspect’s black Opel car hit a motorcyclist in the first incident before going after two more, and ramming the third into the path of his vehicle. The third motorcyclist is reported to be in a life-threatening condition.
Images from the scene of the final crash shown significant damage to the car and the motorcycle he struck.
Berlin prospector office spokesman Martin Steltner told reporters the man was ‘hunting down motorcyclists’.
"Because of the circumstances we don't see this as a random accident," Mr Steltner added. "Latest indications point to an Islamist-motivated attack."
Broadcaster ARD reports the man had been receiving psychiatric treatment in the past after making threats to kill, but it isn’t clear whether he was linked to militant extremists.
Other sources say he posted a picture of his car on Facebook ahead of the attack with religious phrases.
