Berlin Pride Suspect Pledged to IS, Prosecutors Say

Update

German prosecutors told AFP that a video found on Abdul Rahman Ballout's phone showed a masked person, presumed to be Ballout, pledging allegiance to Islamic State.

Prosecutors said the video was recorded on the day of the attack.

The reported injury toll rose from 29 to 31 people.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said investigators were analysing the phone found in the vehicle and that links to Islamic State could also be found on storage devices from Ballout's home.

Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 12:43:46 UTC.

Update

German media reported that the alleged pledge video was found on Abdul Rahman Ballout's phone.

Bild reported, citing unnamed security sources, that the video was recorded on Saturday, the day of the attack.

Bild reported that Ballout's phone was found inside the rented minivan and that a sheath for the machete was beside it.

The source gives the suspect's full name as Abdul Rahman Ballout.

Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 11:05:18 UTC.

Update

Media reported that the Berlin Pride attacker pledged allegiance to Islamic State in a video.

Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 10:35:23 UTC.

Update

The source adds that the woman killed was Polish.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of insufficient action against migrant violence.

Merz said authorities would need to go beyond announcements and answer how the suspect could get close to the parade unhindered.

Security expert Rolf Tophoven said the danger from Ballout had been underestimated and called the decision to let him walk free a fatal mistake.

Berlin Neukoelln integration commissioner Guner Balci called for the closure of the most radical mosques.

Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 12:24:45 UTC.

Update

German authorities faced criticism over why Abdul Ballout was at large despite known Islamist radicalisation and a recent conviction for planning a serious act of violence.

Prosecutors said Ballout had previous convictions for causing bodily harm, extortion and robbery.

The source says Ballout travelled to Lebanon in a failed attempt to join the Islamic State group in Syria, was arrested, spent three months in jail in Lebanon and was later repatriated.

Ballout was convicted in May and given a one-year-and-10-month jail sentence, but the sentence was suspended.

Marc Henrichmann, Dirk Peglow and Joachim Herrmann criticised or questioned the handling of Ballout's release or suspended sentence.

Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 09:45:04 UTC.

Update

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said none of the wounded victims were any longer in life-threatening condition.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said everything indicated an Islamist terror attack.

Prosecutors said Abdul Ballout had previous convictions and had shared Islamic State propaganda on Instagram in 2024.

Prosecutors said Ballout travelled to Lebanon in 2025 in order to fight for a militia in Syria, was jailed there, and later returned to Germany.

Hundreds of people held a vigil near the Brandenburg Gate after the attack.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 18:39:04 UTC.

Update

Berlin police said officers located Abdul Ballout at around 6:00 pm local time on Sunday.

Police said Ballout ran toward officers with a bladed weapon.

Police said officers opened fire and killed him.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 17:44:13 UTC.

Update

A minister said a person was killed in an operation to catch the Berlin Pride attack suspect.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 17:27:10 UTC.

Update

Police said a major operation was under way against the Berlin Pride attack suspect.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 17:19:19 UTC.

Update

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday evening that none of the injured people were still in life-threatening condition.

Hundreds of people held a vigil near the Brandenburg Gate with rainbow flags and flowers.

Police searched the area near the minivan for clues and the vehicle was later towed away by investigators.

The Bundestag flag was ordered lowered to half mast.

Prosecutors said the suspect had previous convictions and had shared Islamic State propaganda on Instagram in 2024.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 16:38:05 UTC.

Update

Authorities said the suspect may have attacked more people with a machete after a white vehicle hit people and crashed into a tree.

The suspect was identified as Abdul Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese roots, and authorities said he was known for previous crimes and radicalisation.

German media reported that Ballout had a May conviction linked to preparing a serious act of subversive violence after a failed attempt to join IS.

Police gave a physical description of Ballout and alerted officers at train stations, airports and Germany's borders.

Hundreds attended a vigil near the Brandenburg Gate, and the Bundestag flag was ordered lowered to half mast.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged those targeted not to be intimidated.

The source added context about previous vehicle and public-place attacks in Germany.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 14:38:44 UTC.

Update

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt named the main suspect as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout.

Police were searching for Ballout at train stations, airports and Germany's borders.

Authorities said a white vehicle hit people near Tiergarten park before crashing into a tree, and Dobrindt said Ballout was suspected of then attacking more people with a machete.

Dobrindt said 29 people were injured, some with life-threatening injuries, and the source says one woman died.

Dobrindt said Ballout was known to authorities for many previous crimes, radicalisation and links to the Islamist scene.

German media reported Ballout had a recent conviction connected to preparing a serious act of subversive violence and had tried to join the Islamic State group.

Hundreds attended a vigil near the Brandenburg Gate, and German and foreign officials expressed condolences and condemnation.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 13:14:21 UTC.

Update

Germany's interior minister said investigators believe the attack was motivated by Islamist ideology.

Alexander Dobrindt said the number of injured had risen to 29.

Dobrindt made the comments to reporters at the scene on Sunday.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 12:31:57 UTC.

Update

The interior minister described the attack near Berlin Pride as an Islamist terror attack.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 12:24:06 UTC.

Update

German media reported that the chief suspect is a supporter of the Islamic State group and had previously been convicted for related offences.

Bild and Spiegel reported that the 21-year-old suspect, named by police as Abdul B., travelled to the Middle East last year in a failed attempt to join IS.

Bild reported that he was arrested in Lebanon while attempting to join IS and returned to Germany because he is a German citizen.

The newspapers reported that he was convicted in Germany in May of preparing a serious act of subversive violence; Spiegel reported that he received a suspended sentence.

Spiegel reported that a tip-off a few weeks ago said Abdul B. had posted a photo online posing with a weapon, but a search of his apartment found only a toy replica.

Police were seen on Sunday at the suspect's alleged address, about one kilometre south of the attack scene.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 11:58:21 UTC.

Update

Police were still searching for the prime suspect on Sunday and appealed for information on his whereabouts while releasing his photo.

Police said one or more people left the vehicle and fled after it crashed, and said other suspects could be involved.

Emergency services said one woman was killed and 16 people were injured, including three with life-threatening injuries.

Police said several people also suffered stab wounds.

The vehicle was described as a Citroen minivan with a Berlin number plate and was still at the scene on Sunday morning.

Police planned searches at Berlin train stations as part of the investigation.

A vigil was planned for 2:00 pm local time on Sunday in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

German and foreign officials expressed condemnation and sympathy after the attack.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 11:40:38 UTC.

Update

German media reported that the chief suspect was named by police as Abdul B.

The suspect was reported to be 21 years old.

Bild and Spiegel reported that he travelled to the Middle East last year in a failed attempt to join Islamic State.

The newspapers reported that he was later convicted in Germany of preparing a serious act of subversive violence.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 11:15:24 UTC.

Update

German media reported that the Berlin Pride attack suspect was an Islamic State supporter.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 11:00:31 UTC.

Update

Police said there were indications the suspect acted from an Islamist ideology.

Police said one or more people left the vehicle and fled, and that several people also suffered stab wounds.

The vehicle hit people near Tiergarten park shortly before 10:00 pm Saturday before crashing into a tree.

Police searched the park with helicopters using heat-detection cameras but did not find the suspect immediately after the attack.

Police described the suspect as thin, around 1.90 metres tall, with black hair, wearing a black hoodie and white trousers.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten issued statements after the attack.

Members of Berlin's queer community said a vigil would be held at 2:00 pm Sunday in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 09:39:24 UTC.

Update

Police and prosecutors appealed for information on a 21-year-old man identified as Abdul B.

Police warned the suspect may be armed and dangerous.

Police said the suspect's vehicle was found abandoned near Tiergarten park.

Police said helicopters and officers from several German states were involved in the search.

The Berlin fire department said three of the 16 injured people had life-threatening injuries and about 30 more people were treated for shock.

Investigators said several people were believed to have been wounded with stabbing weapons and that one or more people were seen leaving the vehicle.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said those responsible would face justice, and Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the incident.

Police deployed more than 2,000 officers for the event before additional personnel joined the search.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 05:33:42 UTC.

Update

One person was killed and 16 people were injured, including three with life-threatening injuries, according to the Berlin fire department.

Around 30 more people were treated for shock at the scene.

Police said the incident happened shortly before 10:00 pm on Saturday, or 2000 GMT.

Police said the suspected vehicle was found abandoned a few hundred metres from the festivities in Tiergarten park, and the search was widened across Berlin.

The manhunt involved helicopters and officers from several German states, with thermal-imaging cameras used in the search.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said those responsible would face justice and said he and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt were being kept informed.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned what he called a brutal attack on a gathering for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin.

Police had deployed more than 2,000 officers for Christopher Street Day, which drew hundreds of thousands of people and is one of Europe's largest Pride events.

The source adds context on recent attacks in Germany and on upcoming Berlin state assembly elections.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 02:13:38 UTC.

Update

Police said the identified suspect had not yet been arrested.

Police spokesperson Florian Nath said an abandoned vehicle was found a few hundred metres from the centre of the Pride festivities.

Police said a manhunt was underway across Berlin.

The source names Florian Nath as the police spokesperson.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 01:09:54 UTC.

Update

Berlin police said the suspect had been identified.

Berlin police said the suspect was believed to be linked to Islamist circles.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 00:52:52 UTC.

Update

Berlin fire department spokesman Dominik Pretz said three of the 16 wounded had life-threatening injuries and about 30 more people were treated at the scene for shock.

Police said the suspected vehicle was later found abandoned in Tiergarten park.

Police spokesman Florian Nath said no one had been found and the search had widened to the whole city.

Police said helicopters with thermal-imaging cameras were involved in the search.

The vehicle appeared to be similar to a minivan or small SUV, according to police.

Berlin police had deployed more than 2,000 personnel for the event, and officers from several German states were assisting.

The Pride event programme at the main stage had been scheduled to continue until midnight but was cut short.

The source adds recent German attack context and notes Berlin has a state assembly election due in two months.

Source note: AFP news report published on 26 July 2026 at 00:50:12 UTC.

Update

Berlin fire department spokesman Dominik Pretz said one person died and 16 others were injured.

Police told AFP they found the suspected car abandoned in Tiergarten park.

Organisers cut short the Gay Pride event, and police told participants to go home and sealed off the area.

The source adds scene details from an eyewitness and an AFP journalist, including emergency vehicles and a tent on the roadway.

The source adds context about recent vehicle and knife attacks in Germany.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 23:32:14 UTC.

Update

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt would push to ensure the act is fully investigated and punished.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 22:54:21 UTC.

Update

Merz vowed punishment after the car rammed a crowd near Berlin Gay Pride.

Merz described the incident as a horrific act.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 22:47:39 UTC.

Update

Police said the vehicle entered Tiergarten park and hit several people just before 10:00 pm, or 2000 GMT.

Police spokesman Florian Nath said some survivors were seriously injured and were being treated by emergency services.

Police said they found the car they thought was involved abandoned in Tiergarten park.

An eyewitness near the main Pride stage at Brandenburg Gate said the crowd complied with police instructions and left around 11:00 pm.

The programme at the main stage had been scheduled to continue until midnight.

An AFP journalist saw at least 10 emergency service vehicles, a tent set up in the road, and police patrolling the park area.

The source adds context about recent violent attacks in public spaces in Germany.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 22:31:07 UTC.

Update

Police said they were hunting for the occupants of the car.

Police said they had found the car they believed was involved abandoned.

The Gay Pride event was cut short and police told participants to go home.

Police sealed off the area where people were injured.

Earlier Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people had taken part in the event, called Christopher Street Day in Germany.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 21:51:26 UTC.

Update

Police said some of the around 15 injured people were seriously hurt.

The vehicle was abandoned at the scene, according to police.

Police said they were searching for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle.

The scene was identified as Tiergarten Park, described as a wooded area of Berlin where the parade ends.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 21:44:22 UTC.

Update

Police said one person was dead.

Police said around 15 people were injured.

The car was suspected of hitting a crowd near Berlin Gay Pride.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 21:37:37 UTC.

Update

The Gay Pride event was cut short after the injuries.

Police told participants to go home.

Hundreds of thousands of people had taken part earlier in the Christopher Street Day event.

The march ended on 17 June Street, which crosses Tiergarten to the Brandenburg Gate, where concerts had been held since Friday.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 21:13:03 UTC.

Update

Police said the injured people may have been hit by a car.

Police said they believed a vehicle entered Tiergarten park and hit and injured several people.

Police said they were actively seeking the people responsible.

Source note: AFP news report published on 25 July 2026 at 21:01:53 UTC.