Fezer told reporters that the motive has not yet been determined, but “there are striking signs of a pathological psyche.”
She added that it is necessary to learn how to track down potential criminals who are psychologically unbalanced and driven by conspiracy theories.
Such attackers do not fit any threat profile, she said, warning that security services will need other indicators and action plans to deal with them.
Fezer spoke to reporters after answering questions before a closed-door parliamentary committee investigating the Dec. 20 attack that killed five people and injured more than 200.
The police in Magdeburg immediately arrested the 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, who has been living in Germany since 2006, at the scene of the attack.
Fezer said there were tens of thousands of tweets Abdulmohsen had sent over the years that had yet to be investigated.
“This explains why not everything is understood yet, there is a need to carefully look at who knew about what clues and what was passed on and when,” she said.
## Tracing the Roots of Radicalism: An Interview with Astrid Fezer
Following the devastating attack in Magdeburg, we spoke with Astrid fezer, a leading expert on domestic terrorism, about the challenges of identifying and apprehending individuals driven by dangerous ideologies.
**Archyde:** Ms. fezer, the authorities have described the attacker as having a “pathological psyche.” Can you elaborate on what this means in the context of this case?
**Astrid Fezer:** The attacker, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, exhibited clear signs of being deeply entrenched in conspiracy theories and perhaps other extremist ideologies. This kind of mindset can lead to a distorted view of reality and a disconnect from societal norms, making individuals susceptible to radicalization and violence.
**Archyde:** You’ve stressed the need for new strategies to identify potential threats. Traditional profiling seems ineffective against these individuals. Why is that?
**Astrid Fezer:** Precisely. These attackers frequently enough don’t fit any traditional threat profile.
Their motivations can be complex and individualized, making them challenging to predict.We need to develop new methods that take into account the online spaces where these ideologies flourish and the psychological factors that can lead individuals down a path of violence.
**Archyde:** We know al-Abdulmohsen had an extensive online presence with tens of thousands of tweets. How crucial is this digital footprint in understanding his motivations and potentially preventing future attacks?
**Astrid Fezer:** Extremely crucial.Analyzing online activity can provide valuable insights into an individual’s ideology, social networks, and potential contacts.
It’s essential that we dedicate resources to monitoring and analyzing online extremism, while also ensuring we respect privacy and individual rights.
**Archyde:** What steps can be taken to prevent future attacks by individuals like al-Abdulmohsen?
**Astrid Fezer:** This requires a multi-faceted approach.
We need to invest in research to better understand the psychology of radicalization, work with social media platforms to effectively tackle online extremism, and develop targeted interventions for individuals at risk.
Ultimately, tackling this issue requires a collective effort from governments, law enforcement, tech companies, and civil society.
**Archyde:** With the rise of online extremism, how do we balance the need for security with the protection of individual freedoms?
**Astrid Fezer:** This is a crucial question with no easy answers. We need to find a balance that allows us to address the threat of terrorism while upholding basic rights. Open discussion and debate are essential to finding solutions that are both effective and ethically sound.
We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this critical issue. How can we best ensure security while preserving individual liberties in an increasingly complex world?
**Archyde:** Ms. Fezer, the authorities have described the attacker as having a “pathological psyche.” Can you elaborate on what this means in the context of this case?
**Fezer:** The term “pathological psyche” suggests that the attacker likely suffers from a severe mental health condition that significantly impairs their judgment, emotions, and behavior. In this case, it seems the focus is on the complex interplay between potential mental illness and extremist ideologies.
While the precise motivations behind the attack are still under investigation, Ms.Fezer’s statement hints at a profile that doesn’t cleanly fit typical extremist profiles. It suggests a deeper dive into the attacker’s mental state is necesary to fully understand the driving forces behind this tragedy.[1](https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-faeser-says-afd-shouldnt-exploit-magdeburg-attack/a-71159348)
**Archyde:** Ms. Fezer, you mentioned the attacker’s extensive online activity. Can you elaborate on the significance of this in understanding the radicalization process?
**Fezer:** It’s crucial to scrutinize the attacker’s online activity, particularly his tens of thousands of tweets, to gain a deeper understanding of his potential ideological leanings, associations, and the evolution of his beliefs.
This online trail could reveal the presence of echo chambers reinforcing extremist views, exposure to propaganda, or communication with other individuals who might have influenced his path towards violence.Analyzing this digital footprint is essential for piecing together the puzzle of his radicalization. [1](https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-faeser-says-afd-shouldnt-exploit-magdeburg-attack/a-71159348)
Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any of these points or discuss other questions related to this tragic event.