Berlin Pride Attacker Abdul Ballout Was Set for Program Rejection Before Killing 1 and Injuring 29
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 27
Berlin Pride Attacker Abdul Ballout Was Set for Program Rejection Before Killing 1 and Injuring 29
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 27
Summary
Violence Prevention Network said Abdul Ballout was about to be reported as unfit for deradicalization because staff saw “fake cooperation” and judged him deeply radicalized.
24 hours after the Saturday Berlin Pride attack, police shot dead the 21-year-old suspect in a suburb on Sunday; officials say he used a rented vehicle, then a machete, killing a Polish woman and injuring at least 29.
2024 to 2026 records show Ballout had posted ISIS propaganda, tried to travel via Lebanon to join ISIS in Syria, and in May received a suspended 1-year-10-month sentence for preparing serious violence.
July 3 police had searched his Berlin home over a weapons suspicion but found only a toy gun, adding to scrutiny of why a known extremist remained free despite repeated warning signs.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded answers on how the attack could have been prevented, as the case deepened Germany’s wider debate over public safety, extremism and recent vehicle-ramming attacks.