Afghan national handed life sentence for deadly car attack on Munich union rally

A German court sentenced an Afghan man, identified only as Farhad N., to life in prison for a deadly car attack in Munich, which left a two-year-old girl and her mother dead and dozens injured. The attack occurred on the eve of the Munich Security Conference and in the lead-up to the 2025 general election, sparking debate on immigration and security.

Farhad N., 25, drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd of about 1,400 people during a trade union march, hurling the woman and her daughter 10 meters through the air, resulting in fatal head injuries. The court deemed the offenses to carry "particular gravity of guilt," reducing the likelihood of his release. Judge Michael Hoehne described the aftermath as a "field of nothing but debris, 12 meters wide," noting that some victims are still suffering from their injuries.

Prosecutors claimed Farhad N. acted out of a "religious motivation" and uttered "Allahu akbar" after the attack, though he is not believed to have been part of any organized extremist group. His mental health issues, including loneliness and anxiety, were cited as contributing factors. Farhad N. had arrived in Germany at 15, his asylum request was rejected, and he was allowed to stay in the country.

He worked in security, engaged in fitness training, and is believed to have been radicalized through online content from radical Afghan preachers in the months leading up to the attack.