The suspect in Friday's attack in Magdeburg is Taleb A from Saudi Arabia, a psychiatrist who had lived in Bernburg about 40 kilometers from Magdeburg.
In Friday's attack on the Christmas market in Magdebur, five people were killed and nearly 200 others were injured. Among the dead is a nine-year-old.
The suspect had hit the crowd of people with his car. The motives behind the attack are unclear, but authorities believe he carried out the attack alone.
Evidence from his posts on social media shows that he was an outspoken critic of Islam and promoted conspiracy theories claiming that the German authorities are aiming to "Islamize" Europe. writes "BBC".
"Der Spiegel" has reported that on September 4, 2013, the Rostock court sentenced him to a fine of 900 euros. The reason was the disruption of public order "through threats of criminal offences". But he was not judged to be capable of carrying out the acts. The 50-year-old Taleb had arrived in Germany in 2006, regularly entering with a passport and visa to begin his specialization after completing his medical studies. However, he did not apply for asylum until 2016.
He said during the hearing at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees that he left Islam and that he was writing a book about why "Islam as a religion has no basis". The book was never published.
He was due to appear in court in Berlin also on December 19. Berlin's public prosecutor's office had accused him of "misuse of emergency calls".
He was ordered to pay 20 daily fees, of 30 each, so a total of 600 euros fine. He had appealed and was due to appear in court in Berlin on December 19, but did not appear.
Germany's interior ministry has said it believes Taleb has "Islamophobic" views.
The Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, has confirmed this, adding that "it is the only thing" she can confirm.
Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens has said that the suspect is being interviewed and court proceedings will follow. He is expected to be charged with five counts of murder and grievous bodily harm.
