Berlin Attack: Police Detained «Wrong Man», Suspect Still at Large, Armed

Local Editor

The Pakistani suspect arrested following the truck attack in the German capital reportedly had no involvement in the crime. The actual perpetrator is armed and still at large, Die Welt reports, citing high-ranking security sources.

"We have the wrong man," Die Welt cited a Berlin police official as saying. "And thus a new situation. The actual perpetrator is still at large and armed, and can inflict more damage."

The source said that all police and Special Forces units in Berlin had been informed and put on high alert.

Speaking at a press conference, Berlin police Chief Klaus Kandt said investigators are unsure if the Pakistani man arrested shortly after the truck attack was actually the driver who rammed the vehicle into a crowd at the Christmas market.

"As far as I know it is in fact uncertain whether that really was the driver," he said.

Despite the heightened security alert, the preparations for New Year's Eve celebrations will continue as planned, Kandt added.

Police urged Berlin residents "not to follow dangerous developments on your own," asking them to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement officers.

For his part, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said there is "no doubt" that the truck incident at a Christmas market in Berlin was a terrorist attack.

"At this point, we have no doubt that this horrific crime was a terrorist attack," de Maiziere told a news conference on Tuesday.

He added that there is no evidence so far to indicate the suspect is linked to Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"] or any other terrorist group.

De Maiziere also confirmed reports that the suspect "comes from Pakistan" and had applied for asylum. He entered Germany in December 2015 and came to Berlin in February this year. De Maiziere added that the man was not on any database for terrorism suspects.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it would be "particularly sickening" if he were proven to be a refugee.

Merkel vowed to punish those responsible for the Berlin attack "as harshly as the law allows".

German media identified the suspect as a 23-year-old Pakistani national, Naved B.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team