Spain condemns “in the strongest terms” the attack at the LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Berlin that left one dead

The Diplomat The Spanish government has condemned “in the strongest terms” the multiple vehicle attack perpetrated this Saturday during the LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Berlin, in which one person died and 29 others were injured. “We extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to the German people for the victims of the attack that occurred during the LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations in Berlin,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release on Sunday. “Spain and Germany share the values of freedom, equality, and dignity that Pride represents,” it continued. “We condemn in the strongest terms this type of attack. Hatred and violence have no place in our societies. We will always stand with the LGBTQ+ community,” it concluded. The attack was allegedly carried out by 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, who drove a van into the parade participants. Ballout was later shot dead during a police operation in the Spandau district, on the outskirts of Berlin, according to Berlin police. According to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the attack was an “Islamist terrorist attack.” Authorities stated that the perpetrator had a criminal record for assault and robbery and in May of this year had been sentenced to one year and ten months in prison for attempting to join the jihadist group Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. He had been released on probation while the courts considered the prosecution's appeal, which sought a longer sentence, and was participating in a deradicalization program. It is possible that Ballout had accomplices and the police have arrested several people in his circle for questioning, although there is still no official information about their possible role in the attack.

Related Content

King Felipe VI will attend the inauguration of Peru's new president, Keiko Fujimori, on July 28

Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Portugal send resources to support Spain in fighting wildfires

Queen Letizia to inaugurate Cervantes Institute Annual Meeting in Jerez on Monday

Spain condemns settler attack in the West Bank that left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead

Albares denounces Russia's "barbaric attacks against Ukraine" that have left more than ten dead in Kyiv and Sloviansk