An Afghan refugee, aged 24, drove his Mini Cooper into a gathering of labor union demonstrators in Munich, Germany on February 13, 2025. The incident resulted in at least 39 people being injured, including a child in serious condition. The Verdi trade union protest had attracted approximately 1,500 workers on Seidlstrasse, where the attack occurred.
The suspect, Farhad Noori, confessed to intentionally driving into the crowd, citing his religious beliefs as motivation. After his arrest, Noori said, “Allahu akbar” and started praying in front of the police officers. The federal prosecutors, now in command of the investigation, found digital evidence suggesting “a certain Islamist orientation.”
The incident started around 10:30 a.m. local time when Noori allegedly drove the Mini Cooper into the crowd. Police responded by firing at the vehicle, and Noori was arrested with minor injuries. Emergency services immediately started treating the victims, some requiring immediate medical care.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, spoke to the nation, denouncing “the brutality of this act.” He expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and emphasized the need for a detailed investigation into the motives behind the attack.
Noori arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied minor refugee in 2016. Although his asylum application was rejected in 2020, a temporary suspension of deportation was granted in 2021, and he held valid residence and work permits. Before the attack, he had been employed in various roles, including store security. No criminal record existed for Noori, though he had minor involvement in drug and theft incidents.
The Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism, now part of the investigation, found religious content and a worrying message on Noori’s social media platforms the day before the attack suggesting he might not be around the following day. However, they found no links between him and any extremist group or evidence of a co-conspirator in planning the attack.
Social media profiles depict Noori as a fitness model, featuring pictures of his muscular body and photos with cars, including a white Mini Cooper, similar to the one used in the attack.
With 68,000 followers on Instagram and 32,800 on TikTok, Noori’s online persona was cheerful, contrasting with the image of a radical Islamist with animosity towards the West. He had adapted well in Germany, excelling as an athlete and securing fourth place at the Bavarian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship in 2024.
The incident happened about a mile from the Munich Security Conference venue, an annual meeting of global security officials and policymakers. Despite initial concerns, authorities confirmed that the incident had no link to the conference. Due to the high-profile meeting, enhanced security measures had already been implemented across Munich.
The attack has reignited debates on immigration and security policies in Germany, especially as the country is nearing its federal election on February 23. Recent polls point to increasing public concern over immigration, with center-right conservatives and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party advocating for stricter immigration controls in their campaigns.
The issue of deportations to Afghanistan is difficult, given Germany’s absence of diplomatic representation in the country. The Taliban regime has recently shown readiness to cooperate on deportations, suggesting that a consular mission be established in Germany. The German government has not yet responded to this proposal.
Prosecutors are pursuing charges against Noori for 39 counts of attempted murder, serious bodily harm, and dangerous interference with road traffic. As the investigation continues, authorities examine more digital evidence and interview witnesses to establish a comprehensive timeline of events leading up to the attack.
