Aachen Fan Arrested in Munich Murder of Father of Two

Munich Attack: Afghan Man on Trial for Murder of Woman and Toddler

Munich, Germany – A 25-year-old Afghan man, Farhad N., went on trial Friday charged with deliberately driving his car into a crowd in Munich last year, resulting in the deaths of a 37-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter. The attack, which occurred on February 13, 2025, also injured 44 others, some critically.

Prosecutors allege that Farhad N. Intentionally drove his BMW Mini into a demonstration organized by the trade union ver.di in the city center. Approximately 1,400 people were participating in the rally, which included city workers advocating for better wages.

The victims, Amel and her daughter Hafsa, were struck first and thrown several meters by the force of the impact. Hafsa was still in her buggy at the time. Both died of their injuries in hospital shortly after the incident.

According to federal prosecutors, the act was motivated by “excessive religious motivation.” They stated that the accused believed he was obligated to attack and kill randomly selected people in Germany in response to the suffering of Muslims in Islamic countries. Investigators reported that Farhad N. Shouted “Allahu Akbar” and prayed after the attack, and had been viewing extremist online content.

The trial is taking place a few hundred meters from the scene of the attack. Farhad N., who arrived in Germany as an asylum seeker in 2016, hid his face behind a folder at the start of the proceedings and raised his index finger, a gesture symbolizing belief in one God.

A Night Out Turned Tragic

The incident unfolded after the 45-year-old victim and a friend visiting from Macedonia had spent the evening at Kennedy’s Bar near Sendlinger Tor on January 31, 2025. Neither man had a particular interest in football, and they were simply enjoying a quiet evening together.

Also present at the bar were the 21-year-old suspect from Aachen and his companion. The two groups left the bar around the same time, shortly before 2:00 AM, and walked along Sonnenstraße towards Karlsplatz (Stachus). The encounter occurred near house number 31.

According to Armin Ritterswürden, head of Munich’s homicide commission, the 21-year-old initially put his arm around the shoulder of the 45-year-old victim, a seemingly friendly gesture. There were no initial signs of conflict or provocation, according to the victim’s friend. Prosecutor Juliane Grotz stated that the 45-year-old “did nothing to provoke the attack.”

The situation escalated suddenly when the suspect allegedly struck the victim with at least two punches to the head without any apparent reason. The victim fell to the ground, hitting his head, and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Witnesses immediately called for emergency services. He was transported to a hospital and placed in intensive care.

The Victim’s Deteriorating Condition and Subsequent Death

The suspect and his companion fled the scene, but a police search was launched. The pair remained in Munich, intending to attend a match between TSV 1860 Munich and Alemannia Aachen on February 16, 2025, which ended in a 2-2 draw. However, the 21-year-old was subject to a nationwide stadium ban due to a previous incident involving sexual assault during a football match.

On Monday, two days after the attack, the victim’s condition deteriorated dramatically. He died on Wednesday afternoon as a result of the injuries sustained from the punches, according to autopsy results.

Prosecutors are now pursuing a murder charge against the 21-year-old, citing the “treacherous” nature of the attack and the victim’s defenseless state. The victim’s friend positively identified the suspect from a photo lineup, flown in from Macedonia for the purpose.

A Trained Martial Artist

Adding to the severity of the case, authorities revealed that the suspect is a trained martial artist with a background in kickboxing and boxing. Armin Ritterswürden stated that the suspect was aware of the force his punches could generate and the potential consequences. Prosecutors believe this demonstrates a “deliberate intent to kill.”

The suspect was arrested at his home on Wednesday and has been transferred to Stadelheim Prison in Munich. He is reportedly not associated with any known hooligan groups linked to Alemannia Aachen.

If convicted, the 21-year-old faces a potential life sentence. The case is expected to be heard before a jury in Munich.