German Chancellor faces protest during visit to Magdeburg Christmas market after deadly attack (2)

MAGDEBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 21: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the Magdeburg Christmas market on Saturday, Dec. 21, to pay tribute to the victims of a tragic car attack that killed five people and injured over 200 others on Friday night.The attack occurred when a vehicle rammed into a large crowd at the popular Christmas market in the city center, causing chaos and panic. Videos circulating on social media showed a dark car speeding through the festive gathering, prompting people to flee in terror.Chancellor Scholz laid flowers at a church door near the market to honor the victims. However, his visit drew criticism from some attendees, with several people reportedly shouting in protest during the ceremony.According to the German media, the 50-year-old perpetrator had been living in Germany since 2006 and had permanent residency in the country.It was reported that he worked as a doctor in the city of Bernburg and his social media accounts contained Islamophobic messages, support for the far-right AfD party, with outlandish claims that German authorities were "chasing Saudi asylum seekers to destroy their lives" and "Germany wants to Islamize Europe."He had posted on social media, expressing "concerns about the rise of Islam in Germany."He wrote in June a post about German police using "dirty tactics" against him and other critics of Islam to "destroy their anti-Islam activism."The perpetrator was arrested after the attack.Police maintained a heavy presence at the Christmas market following the attack and cordoned off the area to secure the crime scene. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid the vicinity while investigations continue.(Footage by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)