2016 Berlin truck attack

The Berlin attack took place during a time of heightened Islamist terrorist activity in Europe. Several terrorist attacks in 2016, in Germany and in neighboring countries, have been linked to ISIS;[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36882445 "Germany attacks: What is going on?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606023038/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36882445 |date=6 June 2018 }}. BBC News. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016. some of them were similar to the truck attack on the Christmas market in Berlin (e.g. the 2014 Nantes attack and the 2016 Nice truck attack, both in France).

File:20151115 Berlin bei Nacht 15-1.jpg

The vehicle involved, a black Scania R 450 semi-trailer truck,[http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/berlin/terroranschlag-lkw-rast-in-weihnachtsmarkt-auf-breitscheidplatz-25341200 LKW rast in Weihnachtsmarkt auf Breitscheidplatz.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219200132/http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/berlin/terroranschlag-lkw-rast-in-weihnachtsmarkt-auf-breitscheidplatz-25341200 |date=19 December 2016 }} In: Berliner Zeitung, 19. Dezember 2016 bore Polish number plates and belonged to a Polish delivery company, Usługi Transportowe (Transport Services) Ariel Żurawski, based in Sobiemyśl.{{cite web |url=https://www.money.pl/gospodarka/wiadomosci/artykul/zurawski-ciezarowka-kierowca-polska-zamach,245,0,2222325.html |title=Zamach w Berlinie. Ariel Żurawski dla WP: Najważniejsze dla mnie to znaleźć mojego kierowcę |first=Sebastian |last=Ogórek |date=19 December 2016 |access-date=20 December 2016|language=pl}} The truck was on its return leg to Poland, having started its trip in Turin, Italy, and was transporting steel beams to a Berlin warehouse{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38375555 |title=Berlin lorry deaths: Police say 'probably terrorist attack' |publisher=BBC |date=20 December 2016 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128194456/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38375555 |url-status=live }} owned by ThyssenKrupp.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/20/police-pore-over-polish-lorry-driver-lukasz-urban-final-hours-berlin-attack|title=Police pore over Polish truck driver's final hours for clues to Berlin attack|last=Kirchgaessner|first=Stephanie|date=20 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=21 December 2016}}

File:2016 Berlin attack route map.svg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222001857/http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/angriff-in-berlin-fotostrecke-143633-11.html |archive-date=22 December 2016 |access-date=2016-12-22 |language=de |url-status=dead }}]]

The head of the delivery company, Ariel Żurawski, reported that his cousin Łukasz Robert Urban{{cite news | title=Weihnachtsmarkt-Attacke: In diese drei Ansätze setzt die Polizei ihre Hoffnung | website=Die Welt | date=21 December 2016 | url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article160482426/In-diese-drei-Ansaetze-setzt-die-Polizei-ihre-Hoffnung.html | language=de | access-date=21 December 2016 | last1=Müller | first1=U. | archive-date=21 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221233941/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article160482426/In-diese-drei-Ansaetze-setzt-die-Polizei-ihre-Hoffnung.html | url-status=live }} had been driving the truck to Berlin, but that he could not imagine him being responsible for the attack. Żurawski's company last contacted Urban between 15:00 and 16:00, when Urban reported that he had arrived at the Berlin warehouse a day early and had to wait there overnight to unload his truck the following morning.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-crash-christmas-market-live |title=Berlin truck crash: 'suspicious person' arrested after nine killed at Christmas market – live |last=Jamieson |first=Amber |date=19 December 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=19 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220174421/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-crash-christmas-market-live |url-status=live }} The last photo of Urban still alive was taken at a kebab shop near the ThyssenKrupp warehouse at about 14:00.

The family had been unable to contact Urban since 16:00.{{cite web |url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/atak-terrorystyczny-w-berlinie-ciezarowka-wjechala-w-tlum-na-jarmarku-relacja/8bqhv99 |title=Atak terrorystyczny w Berlinie? Ciężarówka wjechała w tłum na jarmarku |date=19 December 2016 |access-date=20 December 2016 |language=pl |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221081001/http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/atak-terrorystyczny-w-berlinie-ciezarowka-wjechala-w-tlum-na-jarmarku-relacja/8bqhv99 |url-status=live }} Żurawski suspected that the truck had been hijacked based on its GPS coordinates, as well as indications that it was being driven erratically. Żurawski later identified the victim found in the truck as his cousin Urban,{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/20/first-victim-of-berlin-christmas-market-terror-attack-named-6335443/|title=Truck driver named as first victim of Berlin Christmas market terror attack|first=Nicole Morley for|last=Metro.co.uk|date=20 December 2016|publisher=metro.co.uk|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222180641/http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/20/first-victim-of-berlin-christmas-market-terror-attack-named-6335443/|url-status=live}} the original driver of the semi-trailer;{{cite news |url=http://www.n-tv.de/politik/14-28-Szydlo-kondoliert-der-deutschen-Nation-article19368596.html |date=20 December 2016 |publisher=NTV |language=de |title=Liveticker zu Anschlag auf Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt}} Urban was killed by the perpetrator of the attack.{{cite web |title=Germany faces manhunt after Berlin Christmas attack |date=20 December 2016 |website=Financial Times |first1=Guy |last1=Chazan |first2=James |last2=Shotter |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b3aa2c86-c695-11e6-9043-7e34c07b46ef |access-date=20 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220175328/https://www.ft.com/content/b3aa2c86-c695-11e6-9043-7e34c07b46ef |url-status=live }} According to a post-mortem examination cited by the German media, Urban was shot in the head between 16:30 and 17:30;{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38442447 |title=Berlin truck attack: Polish driver 'shot hours before' |date=27 December 2016 |access-date=28 December 2016|publisher=BBC}} initial reports stated that Urban had also been stabbed, but this was revised following the autopsy.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=2016-12-29 |title=An obscure E.U. regulation may have saved lives in the Berlin Christmas market attack |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/12/29/an-obscure-e-u-regulation-may-have-saved-lives-in-the-berlin-christmas-market-attack/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web |date=10 May 2021 |title=Drucksache 19/29493: Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Irene Mihalic, Dr. Konstantin von Notz, Luise Amtsberg, weiterer Abgeordneter und der Fraktion BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN |url=https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/19/294/1929493.pdf |website=Deutscher Bundestag}}

On 19 December 2016, at 20:10 local time,{{Cite news|url=http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-breitscheidplatz-gedaechtniskirche-weihnachtsmarkt|title=Weihnachtsmarkt : Was wir über den Anschlag in Berlin wissen|last1=Biermann|first1=Kai|date=20 December 2016|last2=Faigle|first2=Philip|newspaper=Die Zeit|issn=0044-2070|last3=Geisler|first3=Astrid|last4=Müller|first4=Daniel|last5=Musharbash|first5=Yassin|last6=Polke-Majewski|first6=Karsten|last7=Venohr|first7=Sascha|access-date=20 December 2016|language=de|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221131143/http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-breitscheidplatz-gedaechtniskirche-weihnachtsmarkt|url-status=live}} the perpetrator drove the stolen truck through a Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz in the City West of Berlin, killing 11 people and injuring 56.{{cite news | last=Eddy | first=Melissa | title=Germany Seeks Tunisian Tied to Berlin Christmas Market Attack | website=The New York Times | date=21 December 2016 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-attack.html | access-date=22 December 2016 | archive-date=22 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222132223/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-attack.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news|first1=Melissa|last1=Eddy|first2=Alison|last2=Smale|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-truck-crash.html|title=At Least 12 Dead in Berlin After Truck Crashes into Christmas Market|newspaper=The New York Times|date=19 December 2016|archive-date=1 March 2017|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301010624/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-truck-crash.html|url-status=live}} The truck came from the direction of Hardenbergstraße, drove about {{Convert|50|m}} through the market, and destroyed several stalls{{cite news|first=Michelle|last=Martin|url=http://reuters.com/article/idUSKBN148287|title=Berlin police assume truck was deliberately driven into Christmas market|agency=Reuters|website=Reuters.com|date=20 December 2016|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927172749/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN148287|url-status=live}} before turning back onto Budapester Straße and coming to a stop level with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.{{cite news|first1= Kate|last1= Connolly|first2= Philip|last2= Oltermann|first3= Kevin|last3= Rawlinson|first4= Fran|last4= Lawther|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-crashes-into-christmas-market|title= Berlin: suspect held and 12 dead after truck crashes into market|newspaper= The Guardian|date= 19 December 2016|archive-date= 19 December 2016|access-date= 19 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161219212024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-crashes-into-christmas-market|url-status= live}}

Several witnesses saw the driver leave the truck and flee towards Tiergarten. One witness ran after him.{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article160454887/Mutiger-Zeuge-fuehrt-die-Polizei-zum-Verdaechtigen.html|title=Berlin: Mutiger Zeuge führt Polizei zum Verdächtigen|date=20 December 2016|website=Die Welt|access-date=20 December 2016|language=de|last1=Khunkham|first1=Kritsanarat|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221091541/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article160454887/Mutiger-Zeuge-fuehrt-die-Polizei-zum-Verdaechtigen.html|url-status=live}}

Łukasz Urban was found dead in the passenger seat of the truck cab. He had been shot{{Cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/20/berlin-christmas-market-attack-everything-know-far | title = Berlin Christmas market attack: What we know so far | work = The Daily Telegraph | date = 20 December 2016 | archive-date = 31 May 2018 | access-date = 5 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180531215026/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/20/berlin-christmas-market-attack-everything-know-far/ | url-status = live }} once in the head{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-attentaeter-fuhr-einmal-um-den-weihnachtsmarkt-herum-a-1126840.html|title=Berlin: Attentäter fuhr einmal um den Weihnachtsmarkt herum|date=20 December 2016|website=Spiegel Online|language=de}} with a small-caliber firearm.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-driver-dead-idUSKBN1490Z3?il=0|title=One of dead at German Christmas market was shot|work=Reuters|date=20 December 2016|archive-date=18 October 2017|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018064358/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-driver-dead-idUSKBN1490Z3?il=0|url-status=live}} Investigators initially believed that Urban might still have been alive when the truck reached Breitscheidplatz and might have been stabbed because he tried to stop the attack. Early media reports speculated that he had grabbed the steering wheel, forcing the truck to veer left and crash to a stop, and was then shot at the scene of the crash. If this had been true, this act might have saved many lives.{{cite news|title=Ermittler: Es gab einen Kampf im Lastwagen |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/anschlag-auf-dem-breitscheidplatz-ermittler-es-gab-einen-kampf-im-lastwagen/19161150.html |newspaper=Tagesspiegel |access-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221111355/http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/anschlag-auf-dem-breitscheidplatz-ermittler-es-gab-einen-kampf-im-lastwagen/19161150.html |archive-date=21 December 2016 |language=de |date=21 December 2016 |url-status=dead }} However, later media reports indicated that the truck was brought to a stop by its automatic braking system{{Cite news | url = http://www.dw.com/en/automatic-brakes-stopped-berlin-truck-during-christmas-market-attack/a-36936455 | title = Automatic brakes stopped Berlin truck during Christmas market attack | work = Deutsche Welle | date = 28 December 2016 | archive-date = 8 November 2020 | access-date = 28 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131949/http://www.dw.com/en/automatic-brakes-stopped-berlin-truck-during-christmas-market-attack/a-36936455 | url-status = live }} and Urban was killed hours before the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-driver-idUSKBN14G1CA|title=Polish truck driver shot long before Berlin attack: report|date=27 December 2016|access-date=8 January 2017|newspaper=Reuters}} No weapons were found at the scene.

The Christmas market reopened on 22 December. Damaged stalls were removed and memorials were set up in their stead. Concrete barriers were placed along sides facing streets.[http://www.euronews.com/2016/12/22/berlin-christmas-market-reopens-after-attack Berlin Christmas market reopens after attack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230231116/http://www.euronews.com/2016/12/22/berlin-christmas-market-reopens-after-attack |date=30 December 2016 }}, euronews, 22 December 2016[http://www.dw.com/en/attack-hit-berlin-christmas-market-reopens/a-36872230 Attack-hit Berlin Christmas market reopens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230162544/http://www.dw.com/en/attack-hit-berlin-christmas-market-reopens/a-36872230 |date=30 December 2016 }}, Deutsche Welle, 22 December 2016[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/22/berlin-attack-christmas-market-reopens/95756696/ Days after attack, Berlin opens Christmas market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012081509/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/22/berlin-attack-christmas-market-reopens/95756696/ |date=12 October 2017 }}, USA Today, 22 December 2016

Twelve people died and at least forty-eight were injured throughout the attack.{{Cite news|date=2016-12-22|title=Berlin attack: Who were the victims?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38394412|access-date=2021-10-26}} Many of those injured sustained serious injuries and broken bones from either being hit by the truck, or by the collapse of the wooden stalls that were damaged by the truck.{{Cite web|last=Hanna|first=Jason|date=2016-12-23|title=Berlin Christmas market attack: The victims|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/europe/berlin-christmas-market-attack-victims/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-26|website=CNN|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223210910/http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/europe/berlin-christmas-market-attack-victims/index.html |archive-date=23 December 2016 }} Five years after the attack, a first responder to the attack died in 2021 due to injuries he sustained while responding to victims. It is believed that he was wounded by a beam, sustaining serious head injuries.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-26|title=First aider dies of injuries five years after Christmas market attack|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/10/26/first-aider-dies-of-injuries-five-years-after-2016-berlin-christmas-market-attack|access-date=2021-10-26|website=euronews|language=en|archive-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128220311/https://www.euronews.com/2021/10/26/first-aider-dies-of-injuries-five-years-after-2016-berlin-christmas-market-attack|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2021-10-26|title=Berlin attack: First aider dies 5 years after Christmas market murders|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59048891|access-date=2021-10-26|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026190214/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59048891|url-status=live}}

File:2016 Berlin Christmas market truck attack.jpg

The police and public prosecutor investigated the incident as a terrorist attack.{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Anschlag in Berlin: BKA zeigt sich 'hochalarmiert'|language=de|trans-title=Attack in Berlin: BKA on 'high alert'|work=Der Spiegel|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-bundesanwaltschaft-geht-von-terroristischem-hintergrund-aus-a-1126797.html|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221134313/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-bundesanwaltschaft-geht-von-terroristischem-hintergrund-aus-a-1126797.html|url-status=live}} The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, said, "We must assume this was a terrorist attack."{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Merkel on Berlin Xmas Market Tragedy: 'We must assume this was a terrorist attack'|work=Deutsche Welle|url=http://www.dw.com/en/merkel-on-berlin-xmas-market-tragedy-we-must-assume-this-was-a-terrorist-attack/a-36839928|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220174904/http://www.dw.com/en/merkel-on-berlin-xmas-market-tragedy-we-must-assume-this-was-a-terrorist-attack/a-36839928|url-status=live}} The German Minister of the Interior, Thomas de Maizière, described the incident as a brutal attack.{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Todesfahrt von Berlin: De Maizière: "Kein Zweifel mehr an Anschlag"|language=de|trans-title=Deadly Drive in Berlin: De Maizière: 'No Doubt Any More About Attack'|website=faz.net|publisher={{Lang|de|Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung}}|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/thomas-de-maiziere-anschlag-in-berlin-war-brutales-attentat-14584165.html}} The U.S. Department of State had previously warned of terrorist attacks on Christmas markets in Europe after ISIL took control of Raqqa and Mosul.{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Raf|date=22 November 2016|title=US warns of 'heightened' risk of terror attacks on Christmas markets in Europe as Isil loses grip on Mosul and Raqqa|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/22/us-warns-heightened-risk-terror-attacks-christmas-markets-europe/|access-date=20 December 2016|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220112815/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/22/us-warns-heightened-risk-terror-attacks-christmas-markets-europe/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=9 September 2016|title=Europe Travel Alert|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/Europe.html|access-date=20 December 2016|website=travel.state.gov|publisher=Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Department|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220221522/https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/Europe.html|url-status=live}} ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after the release of a Pakistani suspect who was mistakenly detained.{{cite web|date=23 December 2016|title=Berlin attacker filmed video pledge to IS|url=https://news.sky.com/story/berlin-attacker-anis-amri-pledged-allegiance-to-islamic-state-in-video-10706087|access-date=23 December 2016|work=Sky News|archive-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224030436/http://news.sky.com/story/berlin-attacker-anis-amri-pledged-allegiance-to-islamic-state-in-video-10706087|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The Berlin Vehicular Ramming Attack – What we know & Insights from ICT Experts|url=https://www.ict.org.il/Article/1883/the-berlin-vehicular-ramming-attack|access-date=2016-12-22|website=ict.org.il|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222225757/https://www.ict.org.il/Article/1883/the-berlin-vehicular-ramming-attack|url-status=dead}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38385961 "Berlin attack: So-called Islamic State claims responsibility"]. BBC News. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.{{cite news|date=21 December 2016|title=Noch 14 Menschen in Lebensgefahr|language=de|trans-title=Still 14 People in Danger|work=Der Spiegel|place=Hamburg, Germany|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/berlin-anschlag-vermutet-mutmasslicher-taeter-naved-b-war-offenbar-polizeibekannt-a-1126641.html|archive-date=10 October 2023|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010213329/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/berlin-anschlag-vermutet-mutmasslicher-taeter-naved-b-war-offenbar-polizeibekannt-a-1126641.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Nach Anschlag in Berlin: IS reklamiert Attacke auf Weihnachtsmarkt für sich|language=de|trans-title=After attack in Berlin: IS reclaims attack on Christmas market for itself|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ.net)|place=Frankfurt, Germany|url=https://www.faz.net/1.4585337|access-date=20 December 2016}}

File:2016-12-19 Berlin, Breitscheidplatz.jpg after the attack]]

On the evening of 19 December, police arrested a suspect, believed to have driven the truck during the attack, near the Berlin Victory Column.{{cite web|date=19 December 2016|title=Berlin truck driver reportedly a refugee from Pakistan or Afghanistan|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-driver-was-refugee-pakistan-report/|access-date=20 December 2016|website=Washington Times|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221053207/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/19/berlin-truck-driver-was-refugee-pakistan-report/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Shams|first=Shamil|date=20 December 2016|title=Pakistani and Afghan refugees fear backlash after Berlin attack|work=DW|url=http://www.dw.com/en/pakistani-and-afghan-refugees-fear-backlash-after-berlin-attack/a-36843958|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221135350/http://www.dw.com/en/pakistani-and-afghan-refugees-fear-backlash-after-berlin-attack/a-36843958|url-status=live}} He had aroused suspicion by running away from the scene of the attack out of fear that he would be considered a suspect.{{cite news|last1=Jamieson|first1=Amber|last2=Lyons|first2=Kate|last3=Topping|first3=Alexandra|last4=Weaver|first4=Matthew|date=20 December 2016|title=Berlin truck attack: first suspect released as driver thought to still be at large – as it happened|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/20/berlin-christmas-market-attack-suspect-pakistan-live-coverage|access-date=22 December 2016}} The arrested man, initially identified only as Naved B. (later said to be Naved Baloch by the British newspaper The Guardian{{cite news|date=29 December 2016|title=Man wrongly arrested over Berlin attack says he fears for his life|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/29/naveed-baloch-man-wrongly-arrested-berlin-attack-fears-for-his-life|access-date=29 December 2016}}), denied involvement and was later identified as a 23-year-old asylum seeker from Turbat, Pakistan.{{cite web|date=20 December 2016|title=Berlin attack: No certainty over man arrested by police|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38379157|work=BBC|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811101949/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38379157|url-status=live}} The Berlin SEK police tactical unit stormed the hangar at the former Berlin Tempelhof Airport, which is used as a refugee camp, where the arrested man lived with six others in a room. His mobile phone was seized and analyzed. Police sources later suggested that they might have arrested "the wrong man" because the individual in custody did not carry gunshot residue or any marks that would indicate that he had been in a fight.{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Anschlag in Berlin: Polizei zweifelt an Täterschaft des Festgenommenen|language=de|work=Der Spiegel|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-polizei-zweifelt-an-taeterschaft-des-festgenommenen-a-1126778.html|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221130005/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-polizei-zweifelt-an-taeterschaft-des-festgenommenen-a-1126778.html|url-status=live}} Furthermore, forensic tests did not indicate that the suspect was inside the cab of the truck.{{cite news|date=21 December 2016|title=Germany releases Pakistani held over Berlin attack|work=Dawn|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1303453/germany-releases-pakistani-held-over-berlin-attack|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221125444/http://www.dawn.com/news/1303453/germany-releases-pakistani-held-over-berlin-attack|url-status=live}} Police therefore believed that the attacker might still be at large.

German Public Prosecutor General Peter Frank said, "We have to get used to the idea that the man apprehended may not be the perpetrator or belong to the group of perpetrators."{{cite news|last1=Geil|first1=Karin|last2=Finkenwirth|first2=Angelika|last3=Pontius|first3=Jakob|last4=Klormann|first4=Sybille|date=20 December 2016|title=Berlin: Die Berliner Polizei hat wohl den Falschen|url=http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-weihnachtsmarkt-kurfuerstendamm-gedaechtniskirche-attentat|work=Die Zeit|language=de|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221131149/http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-weihnachtsmarkt-kurfuerstendamm-gedaechtniskirche-attentat|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Biermann|first1=Kai|last2=Faigle|first2=Philip|last3=Geisler|first3=Astrid|last4=Müller|first4=Daniel|last5=Musharbash|first5=Yassin|last6=Polke-Majewski|first6=Karsten|last7=Venohr|first7=Sascha|date=20 December 2016|title=Weihnachtsmarkt: What we know for sure|url=http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-breitscheidplatz-gedaechtniskirche-weihnachtsmarkt#english-version|work=Die Zeit|translator=Charles Hawley, Daryl Lindsey|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221131143/http://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2016-12/berlin-breitscheidplatz-gedaechtniskirche-weihnachtsmarkt#english-version|url-status=live}} The man was released on the evening of 20 December due to lack of evidence.{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Nach Anschlag in Berlin: Vorläufig Festgenommener ist wieder frei|language=de|trans-title=After the Attack in Berlin...|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ.net)|url=https://www.faz.net/1.4585157|access-date=20 December 2016}}{{cite news|date=20 December 2016|title=Berlin market attack suspect released|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38385961|archive-date=23 December 2016|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223104043/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38385961|url-status=live}}

File:Hardenbergstrasse to Breitscheidplatz.jpg

In an interview with The Guardian on 29 December, he narrated the incident of his arrest on 19 December. According to him, after leaving a friend's house and crossing a road in central Berlin on the evening of the attack, a car started following him, after which he walked faster. When he realised that it was a police car, he stopped when they asked him to and showed his identification documents to them. He was allowed to go, but was called back seconds later and arrested. He claimed that he was tied up, blindfolded and also slapped by the police after refusing to undress for photographs. He said in the interview that he had gone into hiding, fearing for his life. The Guardian also said he had applied for asylum in Germany as a member of a secular separatist movement in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

{{main|:de:Anis Amri}}

File:Anis Amri.jpg offering a reward for Amri]]

On 21 December, police announced that investigators had found, under the truck's driver's seat, a suspension of deportation permit{{cite news|date=21 December 2016|title=Anschlag in Berlin: Das ist über den neuen Tatverdächtigen bekannt – Welt|language=de|newspaper=Die Welt|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article160489493/Das-ist-ueber-den-neuen-Tatverdaechtigen-bekannt.html}} belonging to Anis Amri, a man who was born in Tataouine, Tunisia, on 22 December 1992.{{cite news |date=22 December 2016 |title=Anis Amri, Suspect in the Berlin Truck Attack: What We Know |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/world/europe/anis-amri-suspect-in-the-berlin-truck-attack-what-is-known.html?_r=0 |last1=Smale |first1=Alison |last2=Pianigiani |first2=Gaia |last3=Gall |first3=Carlotta |archive-date=24 December 2016 |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224220634/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/world/europe/anis-amri-suspect-in-the-berlin-truck-attack-what-is-known.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }} Authorities began a Europe-wide search for Amri.{{cite web|date=21 December 2016|title=Nach Berlin-Anschlag: Polizei fahndet bundesweit nach Verdächtigem|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eilmeldung-2221.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221101143/http://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eilmeldung-2221.html|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|publisher=Tagesschau|language=de}}{{cite news|date=21 December 2016|title=Polizei sucht tatverdächtigen Tunesier|language=de|work=Spiegel Online|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-polizei-sucht-tunesier-a-1126931.html|url-status=dead|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221105918/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/anschlag-in-berlin-polizei-sucht-tunesier-a-1126931-amp.html|archive-date=21 December 2016}} According to investigators, Amri entered Germany from Italy in 2015 and had contacts with the network of the recently arrested Salafist preacher Abu Walaa, a known ISIL recruiter in Germany.{{cite web|date=21 December 2016|title=Polizei fahndet nach Tunesier Anis A.|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/suche-tatverdaechtiger-103.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221124035/http://www.tagesschau.de/inland/suche-tatverdaechtiger-103.html|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|publisher=Tagesschau|language=de}} Amri was sought by the Federal Criminal Police Office. Officials called for a public manhunt, issuing a recent picture, and offering a reward of €100,000, warning that Amri might be armed and dangerous. He was described as being {{height|cm=178}} tall, weighing approximately {{convert|75|kg|lb}}, with dark hair and brown eyes.{{cite news|last=GmbH|first=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=21 December 2016|title=Nach Attentat in Berlin: Öffentliche Fahndung nach verdächtigem Tunesier|language=de|website=FAZ.NET|url=https://www.faz.net/1.4586660|access-date=21 December 2016}}

Amri fled from Tunisia to escape imprisonment for stealing a truck{{cite news|date=15 January 2017|title=Police memo on Berlin truck attacker published in German media|work=Deustche Welle|url=http://www.dw.com/en/police-memo-on-berlin-truck-attacker-published-in-german-media/a-37141902|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119100757/http://www.dw.com/en/police-memo-on-berlin-truck-attacker-published-in-german-media/a-37141902|url-status=live}} and arrived for the first time in Europe in 2011 on a refugee raft{{cite news|date=22 December 2016|title=Chi è Anis Amri, il sospettato della strage di Berlino arrivato a Lampedusa su un barcone|language=it|work=La Voce del Trentino|url=http://www.lavocedeltrentino.it/2016/12/22/chi-e-anis-amri-il-sospettato-della-strage-di-berlino-arrivato-a-lampedusa-su-un-barcone/|access-date=22 December 2016}} at the island of Lampedusa. He lied about his age, pretending to be a minor, and was sent to the temporary migrants reception center on the island.Guulia Paravicini, [http://www.politico.eu/article/suspected-berlin-attacker-spent-4-years-in-italian-jails/ Suspected Berlin attacker spent 4 years in Italian jails] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222160105/http://www.politico.eu/article/suspected-berlin-attacker-spent-4-years-in-italian-jails/ |date=22 December 2016 }}, Politico.eu (22 December 2016). At the center, according to Italian security officials, Amri "took part in a particularly violent riot, when the center was set on fire and several people were injured" and was sentenced for it and robbery{{cite web|title=Berlin suspect Anis Amri 'radicalized in Italy jail:' Father|url=https://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/berlin-suspect-anis-amri-radicalized-in-italy-jail-father/|publisher=rawstory.com|access-date=22 December 2016|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012145836/https://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/berlin-suspect-anis-amri-radicalized-in-italy-jail-father/|url-status=dead}} to four years in prison, which he served in two jails in Sicily. Amri was released in 2015; according to Italian officials, the Tunisian authorities refused to accept his repatriation to Tunisia, and it is believed that he went to Germany around this time. Per an autopsy on his body, it was found that he frequently consumed drugs.{{cite news|author=May Bulman|title=Autopsy on Berlin attacker Anis Amri shows frequent drug use including cocaine and hashish|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attacker-anis-amri-drug-use-post-mortem-autopsy-isis-inspired-christmas-market-a7611936.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attacker-anis-amri-drug-use-post-mortem-autopsy-isis-inspired-christmas-market-a7611936.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Anis Amri habitually took drugs before Berlin attack, say Italian prosecutors|url=http://www.dw.com/en/anis-amri-habitually-took-drugs-before-berlin-attack-say-italian-prosecutors/a-37809997|publisher=Deutsche Welle}}

In Tunisia, Amri was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison, "reportedly for aggravated theft with violence".{{cite news|date=21 December 2016|title=Suspect in Deadly Berlin Attack Is Latest Tunisian Jihadi|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-21/suspect-in-berlin-attack-is-just-the-latest-tunisian-jihadi|access-date=23 December 2016|via=www.bloomberg.com|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223142920/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-21/suspect-in-berlin-attack-is-just-the-latest-tunisian-jihadi|url-status=live}}[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38399561 Berlin attack: Tunisian fugitive 'had been under surveillance'], BBC News (22 December 2016). Prior to that he had been arrested several times for possession and use of drugs.{{cite news|last1=Huggler|first1=Justin|last2=Rothwell|first2=James|last3=Burke|first3=Louise|last4=Allen|first4=Nick|last5=Palazzo|first5=Chiara|date=20 December 2016|title=Berlin terror attack: Tunisian suspect was investigated over earlier terror plotÂ|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/20/berlin-market-attack-suspect-named-23-year-old-asylum-seeker/|access-date=2016-12-22}} According to his family, he drank alcohol, took drugs and was initially not religious, but had been radicalized in Italian jails.{{cite news|date=22 December 2016|title=Berlin attack suspect emerged from jail with 'totally different mentality'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-suspect-idUSKBN14B1XU|access-date=22 December 2016|newspaper=Reuters|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222171259/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-suspect-idUSKBN14B1XU|url-status=live}} He arrived in Germany in July 2015 and applied for asylum in April 2016. He used at least 14 different aliases and posed as a citizen of Syria, Egypt or Lebanon. He reportedly had tried to recruit participants for a terrorist attack since the spring, and once tried to buy a pistol from an undercover police officer. He had been overheard by German intelligence offering to carry out a suicide attack, but the German authorities had decided not to arrest him because they deemed him a mere errand boy.{{cite news|title=Berlin terror attack: dashcam video shows truck speeding into Christmas market|newspaper=telegraph.co.uk|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/22/berlin-terror-attack-tunisian-suspect-anis-amri-investigated/|archive-date=29 March 2018|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329190555/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/22/berlin-terror-attack-tunisian-suspect-anis-amri-investigated/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Shubert|first1=Atika|last2=Roberts|first2=Elizabeth|title=Berlin market attacker had 14 aliases in Germany|date=6 January 2017|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/06/europe/amri-multiple-identities/|publisher=CNN|access-date=6 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107005314/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/06/europe/amri-multiple-identities/|url-status=live}} The German CID warned in March 2016 that he was planning a suicide attack and recommended immediate deportation. However, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia ruled that he could not be deported.{{cite news|author=Justin Huggler|date=26 March 2017|title=German police warned Anis Amri was planning a suicide attack nine months before Berlin Christmas market massacre|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/26/german-police-warned-anis-amri-planning-suicide-attack-nine/|access-date=30 March 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330042945/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/26/german-police-warned-anis-amri-planning-suicide-attack-nine/|url-status=live}} In Germany he was involved in a bar brawl and drug dealing; later he was involved in a knife attack over drugs in July 2016 and disappeared after police tried to question him.{{cite web|last1=Connolly|first1=Kate|date=21 December 2016|title=market attack Berlin attack suspect Anis Amri had been on watchlist since January|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/21/berlin-attack-suspect-anis-amri-under-monitoring-since-january?CMP=twt_a-world_b-gdnworld|access-date=21 December 2016|work=The Guardian}} Three weeks before the attack, Moroccan intelligence warned Germany about the terrorist attack planned by him.{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Tom|date=23 December 2016|title=Morocco 'warned Germany of Anis Amri terror threat weeks before Berlin attack'|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/morocco-warned-germany-anis-amri-terror-threat-weeks-before-berlin-attack-1597949|access-date=24 December 2016|archive-date=25 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225080650/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/morocco-warned-germany-anis-amri-terror-threat-weeks-before-berlin-attack-1597949|url-status=live}} He had started spending more time in Berlin before the attack and was being closely monitored, but showed no signs of planning a terrorist attack, according to a report submitted by the German Interior Minister to the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. German authorities were seeking to deport him at the time of the attack, but the legal requirements had not been met because Tunisia initially denied that Amri was their citizen, although documents confirming it arrived in Germany after the attack.{{cite news|last1=(now)|first1=Haroon Siddique|last2=(earlier)|first2=Matthew Weaver|date=21 December 2016|title=Berlin attack: Germany issues European arrest warrant for new suspect – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/dec/21/berlin-attack-police-suspect-christmas-market-live-updates|access-date=8 January 2017}}

A few minutes after the attack, a surveillance camera spotted him at Berlin Zoologischer Garten railway station which is close to the Christmas market. At the station, he turned to the camera and raised a finger, a gesture commonly used by Islamists.{{cite web|date=4 January 2017|title=Berlin Truck Attacker Raised Finger in IS Salute After Hitting Market|url=http://www.lse.co.uk/AllNews.asp?code=il4498ju&headline=Berlin_Truck_Attacker_Raised_Finger_In_IS_Salute_After_Hitting_Market|access-date=8 January 2017|work=lse.co.uk|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109024340/http://www.lse.co.uk/AllNews.asp?code=il4498ju&headline=Berlin_Truck_Attacker_Raised_Finger_In_IS_Salute_After_Hitting_Market|url-status=live}} He later left Germany, travelling to the Netherlands, Belgium and France before reaching Italy.{{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|date=4 January 2016|title=Berlin Christmas market attack: Tunisian man who dined with Anis Amri on eve of massacre arrested as probe continues|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-lorry-attack-isis-anis-amri-tunisian-man-arrested-accomplice-investigation-a7510306.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-lorry-attack-isis-anis-amri-tunisian-man-arrested-accomplice-investigation-a7510306.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} On 23 December at around 03:00 CET, Amri was killed in a shootout with police in front of the railway station in Sesto San Giovanni near Milan.{{cite news|date=29 December 2016|title=Hundreds attend funeral of Polish driver killed in Berlin terror attack|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/30/hundreds-attend-funeral-polish-driver-killed-berlin-terror-attack/|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230215345/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/30/hundreds-attend-funeral-polish-driver-killed-berlin-terror-attack/|url-status=live}} He had just arrived by train from Chambéry, France (via Turin). During a routine patrol, two police officers asked to search his backpack after he said he did not have any identity documents. Amri pulled out a gun and shot one of the officers in the shoulder; the other officer shot Amri dead.{{cite news|title=ISIS-linked news agency releases video of Berlin attacker swearing allegiance to the radical group|newspaper=washingtonpost.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/new-terror-attack-thwarted-say-german-police/2016/12/23/7ea61604-c8e7-11e6-85b5-76616a33048d_story.html|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Bonini|first1=Carlo|last2=Pisa|first2=Massimo|title=L'attentatore di Berlino Anis Amri ucciso a Sesto: ha urlato "Allah Akbar"|language=it|agency=repubblica.it|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2016/12/23/news/sparatoria_sesto_san_giovanni-154711759/|access-date=23 December 2016|archive-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224030222/http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2016/12/23/news/sparatoria_sesto_san_giovanni-154711759/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=23 December 2016|title=Berlin attack suspect Anis Amri killed in Milan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38415287|access-date=23 December 2016|publisher=BBC|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223102755/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38415287|url-status=live}} The Italian Minister of the Interior, Marco Minniti, stated that a policeman had been hospitalized with a shoulder injury.{{cite news|last1=Bremer|first1=Jörg|last2=Ripperger|first2=und Anna-Lena|title=Innenminister bestätigt: Amri in Italien erschossen|language=de|newspaper=Faz.net|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/anschlag-in-berlin/innenminister-bestaetigt-amri-in-italien-erschossen-14589001.html|access-date=2016-12-23}} On the same day, Amaq released a video of Amri pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL. German officials confirmed that Amri's fingerprints matched those found in the inside of the truck.{{cite web|date=23 December 2016|title=Fingerprints in truck indicate Berlin massacre suspect was behind wheel|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/23/world/crime-legal-world/fingerprints-truck-indicate-berlin-massacre-suspect-behind-wheel/#.WF1pEhsrKM9|access-date=23 December 2016|work=The Japan Times}}

On 28 December, German prosecutors said they had detained a 40-year-old Tunisian man, who they thought may have been involved in the attack. Amri had saved the number of this man in his phone.{{cite news|date=28 December 2016|title=Berlin attack: Tunisian man arrested in connection with Christmas market tragedy|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-latest-tunisian-man-arrested-christmas-market-anis-amri-a7498811.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-latest-tunisian-man-arrested-christmas-market-anis-amri-a7498811.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2016}}{{cbignore}} Prosecutors stated the next day that he had been released after investigations revealed that he was not a suspected contact of Amri. They also confirmed that the attacker had sent a mobile phone voice message and a picture to a contact shortly before carrying out the attack.{{cite web|date=29 December 2016|title=Tunisian suspect in Berlin truck attack freed: prosecutors|url=https://www.thelocal.de/20161229/tunisian-suspect-in-germany-truck-attack-freed-prosecutors|access-date=1 January 2017|website=The Local|archive-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101162626/https://www.thelocal.de/20161229/tunisian-suspect-in-germany-truck-attack-freed-prosecutors|url-status=live}} The German police raided the homes of two suspected associates on 3 January 2017, including a 26-year-old Tunisian man they suspected of being in contact with Amri and knowing about the attack as well as a former flatmate of Amri.{{cite web|date=3 January 2017|title=Police raid Berlin homes linked to market attacker Anis Amri|url=http://www.dw.com/en/police-raid-berlin-homes-linked-to-market-attacker-anis-amri/a-36993827|access-date=4 January 2017|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=3 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103234643/http://www.dw.com/en/police-raid-berlin-homes-linked-to-market-attacker-anis-amri/a-36993827|url-status=live}} The Tunisian suspect who was suspected of either planning the attack or knowing about it was detained with federal prosecutors stating that he had known Amri since the end of 2015, had met him a day before the attack and both had "very intense conversations". Amri's former flatmate was also being investigated and the attacker had tried to contact him twice on 19 December.{{cite web|date=4 January 2017|title=Berlin truck attack: Man held who had dinner with killer Amri|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38505547|access-date=5 January 2017|work=BBC|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=5 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105000536/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38505547|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=6 January 2017|title=Police delve into Berlin attack suspect's potential Swiss links|url=http://www.dw.com/en/police-delve-into-berlin-attack-suspects-potential-swiss-links/a-37044366|access-date=7 January 2017|publisher=Deutsche-Welle|archive-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108094719/http://www.dw.com/en/police-delve-into-berlin-attack-suspects-potential-swiss-links/a-37044366|url-status=live}}

Italian police confirmed on 4 January that the gun used in the attack, a .22-caliber Erma Model EP552S pistol (Walther PPK clone), matched the one found on Amri.{{cite news|last=Fuller|first=George|date=4 January 2017|title=Gun used in Berlin Christmas attack matches one found on Anis Amri|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/04/gun-used-berlin-christmas-attack-matches-one-found-anis-amri/|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107163516/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/04/gun-used-berlin-christmas-attack-matches-one-found-anis-amri/|url-status=live}} ZDF reported on 6 January that he might have acquired the gun in Switzerland and lived there for a prolonged period of time whose length investigators were trying to determine. Swiss prosecutors meanwhile opened a case related to the attack.{{cite news|date=6 January 2017|title=Report reveals Berlin attacker's links to Switzerland|newspaper=Independent Online|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/report-reveals-berlin-attackers-links-to-switzerland-7344767|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107095814/http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/report-reveals-berlin-attackers-links-to-switzerland-7344767|url-status=live}} The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland later confirmed that he had spent some time in the country while the German police were investigating whether the gun was acquired by him there. Investigators stated on 18 January that the gun was imported legally into Switzerland in 1990s, but it remained unclear what happened to it afterwards as it didn't appear in the weapons registers of cantons of Switzerland and there was no national weapons register at the time.{{cite web|date=18 January 2017|title=Gun used by Berlin attacker imported to Switzerland in 1990s|url=http://www.whig.com/article/20170118/AP/301189807#|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120040758/http://www.whig.com/article/20170118/AP/301189807|archive-date=20 January 2017|access-date=20 January 2017|work=The Associated Press|publisher=Herald-Whig}}{{cite web|date=18 January 2017|title=Gun used by Berlin attacker imported to Switzerland in 1990s|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/gun-used-by-berlin-attacker-imported-to-switzerland-in-1990s/|access-date=26 January 2017|work=The Associated Press|publisher=Fox News|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412070423/https://www.foxnews.com/world/gun-used-by-berlin-attacker-imported-to-switzerland-in-1990s|url-status=live}}

On 24 December, Tunisian authorities arrested three men suspected of terrorist links including Amri's nephew. They stated that Amri had urged his nephew to join ISIL and had sent him money to travel to Europe. Tunisian Interior Ministry stated that he had also told him that he was the emir or leader of a German jihadist group called "Abu al-Walaa brigade".{{cite news|date=24 December 2016|title=Berlin market attack: Anis Amri's nephew arrested in Tunisia|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/24/berlin-market-attack-anis-amris-nephew-arrested-in-tunisia|access-date=11 January 2017}} Another person was announced to have been arrested on 7 January in Tunisia in relation to the case. However all four were released on the next day as they weren't found to have links to the attack or any terrorist group.{{cite web|date=8 January 2017|title=Suspects arrested in Tunisia not linked to Berlin attack|url=https://www.thelocal.de/20170108/suspects-arrested-in-tunisia-not-linked-to-berlin-attack|access-date=11 January 2017|website=The Local|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109135842/https://www.thelocal.de/20170108/suspects-arrested-in-tunisia-not-linked-to-berlin-attack|url-status=live}}

Italy's Interior Ministry announced on 12 March that it had deported a 37-year-old Tunisian man whose telephone number was in Amri's contact list. The ministry stated that he had been in contact with the attacker and his number was also linked to a Facebook profile supporting jihadist ideology where he connected with supporters of ISIL. It added that he was living in Latina where he associated with fellow extremists who opposed a moderate imam at a local mosque.{{cite web|date=13 March 2017|title=Italy deports Tunisian with links to Berlin market attacker Anis Amri|url=http://www.dw.com/en/italy-deports-tunisian-with-links-to-berlin-market-attacker-anis-amri/a-37910648|access-date=13 March 2017|publisher=Deutsche-Welle}}{{cite web|date=13 March 2017|title=Italy deports terror suspect linked to Berlin attacker|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20170313/italy-deports-terror-suspect-who-was-in-contact-with-berlin-attacker|access-date=13 March 2017|website=The Local|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313140507/https://www.thelocal.it/20170313/italy-deports-terror-suspect-who-was-in-contact-with-berlin-attacker|url-status=live}} In late-March, Turkey arrested more than six men allegedly linked to Amri.{{cite web|date=20 March 2017|title=Turkey: 3 suspects held over links to Berlin attack|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-3-suspects-held-over-links-to-berlin-attack/775549|access-date=23 March 2017|publisher=Anadolu Agency}}{{cite web|date=20 March 2017|title=Turkish court holds 2 suspects in Berlin truck attack|url=http://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-court-holds-2-suspects-in-berlin-truck-attack-2632070|access-date=23 March 2017|publisher=Yeni Şafak|archive-date=23 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323233256/http://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-court-holds-2-suspects-in-berlin-truck-attack-2632070|url-status=live}}

Six individuals including some friends of Amri's were arrested on 8 April 2018 for planning a knife attack on a sports event in Berlin.{{Cite news|last=Behrendt|first=Michael|date=2018-04-08|title=Festnahme: Polizei verhindert Terroranschlag auf Berliner Halbmarathon|work=DIE WELT|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article175256562/Festnahme-Polizei-verhindert-Terroranschlag-auf-Berliner-Halbmarathon.html|access-date=2018-04-08|archive-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411215117/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article175256562/Festnahme-Polizei-verhindert-Terroranschlag-auf-Berliner-Halbmarathon.html|url-status=dead}} The main suspect was under police surveillance. They were all released after no evidence was found that they were planning a terror attack.{{Cite magazine|title=German Police Forced to Release Men Suspected of Plotting Attack on Berlin Marathon|url=http://time.com/5233173/germany-berlin-marathon-terror-plot/|url-status=dead|magazine=Time|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411001712/http://time.com/5233173/germany-berlin-marathon-terror-plot/|archive-date=11 April 2018|access-date=2018-04-25}}

On 17 May 2017 the Interior Ministry of Berlin stated that already in November 2016 intelligence was given that Anis Amri was involved in criminal offenses concerning drug trafficking. On this basis authorities would have been able to apprehend Amri already at the time, but they did not. An investigation was launched to find out to what extent this information was withheld by the State Criminal Police Office of Berlin after the attack happened.[https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/berliner-senat-beschuldigt-lka-der-strafvereitelung-im-fall-amri-15020618.html "Hat das LKA im Fall Amri Fehler verschleiert? "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930200916/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/berliner-senat-beschuldigt-lka-der-strafvereitelung-im-fall-amri-15020618.html |date=30 September 2020 }}, (German) retrieved 4 June 2017. Several days later, while the investigation for obstruction of justice was still going on, a speaker of the Interior Ministry said that manipulations of the file of Amri have been carried out by officers of the criminal investigation department after the attack.[http://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2017-05/anschlag-berlin-anis-amri-lka-manipulation-akten "Weitere Manipulationen an Akte Amri"], (German) retrieved 4 June 2017. On 22 May 2017 a commission of inquiry was initiated starting in July. Meanwhile, a special prosecutor was appointed to the case.[https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article164825625/Im-Fall-Anis-Amri-ermittelt-nun-ein-Untersuchungsausschuss.html "Im Fall Anis Amri ermittelt nun ein Untersuchungsausschuss"], (German) retrieved 4 June 2017. In addition to the ongoing investigation concerning manipulations of the file and withholding of information, national TV reported on 1 June, that officers who were ordered by an investigating judge in Berlin to observe Amri until October 2016 for criminal offenses and possible terrorist links did not do so and instead included untrue records regarding observing actions in his file.[https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/rbb-story-8459.html "LKA-Beamter täuschte Amri-Observation vor"], (German) retrieved 4 June 2017.

File:2016 Berlin Christmas market truck attack - after attack the 20-12-2016 02.jpg

File:Goldener Riss - Mahnmal für den Anschlag auf den Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Breitscheidplatz in Berlin 04.jpg

Many world leaders offered condolences to Germany and the victims of the attack.{{Cite news|url=http://europe.newsweek.com/berlin-attack-germany-angela-merkel-vladimir-putin-world-leader-reactions-afd-534118?rm=eu|title=How World Leaders Reacted to the Berlin Attack|last=Gidda|first=Mirren|date=20 December 2016|work=Newsweek|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221234439/http://europe.newsweek.com/berlin-attack-germany-angela-merkel-vladimir-putin-world-leader-reactions-afd-534118?rm=eu|url-status=live}}

National and international right-wing politicians and commentators blamed the attack partly on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her policy of accepting an unlimited number of asylum seekers and migrants.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/germanys-angela-merkel-says-no-numbers-limits-to-right-to-asylum-31504442.html |title=Germany's Angela Merkel says no numbers limits to right to asylum |date=2015-09-05 |website=Irish Independent |access-date=2016-05-01 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610114438/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/germanys-angela-merkel-says-no-numbers-limits-to-right-to-asylum-31504442.html |url-status=live }}"[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-truck-czech-babis-idUSKBN149226 Czech finance minister says 'no place' for migrants in Europe]". Reuters. 20 December 2016.{{cite web | last=Joffe | first=Josef | title=After Berlin, Angela Merkel's open door to migrants might slam shut | website=the Guardian | date=20 December 2016| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/20/angela-merkel-open-door-migrants-berlin-christmas-market-attack-refugee | access-date=21 December 2016}}{{cite news | title=German MP blames Angela Merkel for suspected terror attack in Berlin | website=The Independent | date=19 December 2016| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-angela-merkel-german-mp-blames-chancellor-for-lorry-deaths-latest-a7485486.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-angela-merkel-german-mp-blames-chancellor-for-lorry-deaths-latest-a7485486.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | access-date=21 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web | last=Hjelmgaard | first=Kim | title=Berlin attack puts pressure on Angela Merkel's political survival | website=USA Today | date=20 December 2016 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/20/berlin-attack-piles-pressure-germanys-merkel-over-her-refugee-stance/95644704/ | access-date=21 December 2016 | archive-date=22 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222053013/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/20/berlin-attack-piles-pressure-germanys-merkel-over-her-refugee-stance/95644704/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Oltermann | first=Philip | title=Deadly attack on German soil is worst fear for Angela Merkel | website=The Guardian | date=20 December 2016| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/20/angela-merkel-supporters-fears-berlin-attack | access-date=21 December 2016}}{{cite news | last=Reilly | first=Katie | title=How Europe's Rightwing Populists Reacted to Berlin Christmas Market Attack | magazine=Time | date=20 December 2016 | url=https://time.com/4607711/europe-rightwing-populist-berlin-attack/ | access-date=21 December 2016 | archive-date=20 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220161714/http://time.com/4607711/europe-rightwing-populist-berlin-attack/ | url-status=live }} Euroskeptic politicians also condemned the lack of border checks under the Schengen system for allowing the perpetrator to travel freely through several countries after the attack.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/23/european-far-right-end-to-open-borders-schengen-berlin-le-pen European far right calls for end to open borders after Berlin suspect shot]. The Guardian. 23 December 2016. By contrast, several other national and international political commentators praised what they described as the cool-headed reaction of the Merkel administration.{{cite news|url=http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2016-12/internationale-medien-berlin-anschlag-weihnachtsmarkt|title=Internationale Medien zu Berlin: 'Merkel sollte standhaft bleiben – was immer der Preis ist'|date=21 December 2016|newspaper=zeit.de|via=Die Zeit|language=de}}{{cite news|url=https://www.merkur.de/politik/anschlag-in-berlin-csu-scheuer-verteidigt-horst-seehofers-forderung-zr-7154744.html|title="Nicht pietätlos": Scheuer verteidigt Seehofers Flüchtlingsaussage|date=21 December 2016|newspaper=merkur.de|language=de|archive-date=22 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222235605/https://www.merkur.de/politik/anschlag-in-berlin-csu-scheuer-verteidigt-horst-seehofers-forderung-zr-7154744.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/editorial-on-the-suspected-berlin-terror-attack-a-1126762.html|title=Commentary on the Berlin Attack: Our Strength|first=Spiegel Online, Hamburg|last=Germany|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=20 December 2016|publisher=spiegel.de|archive-date=21 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221141246/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/editorial-on-the-suspected-berlin-terror-attack-a-1126762.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/346c7412-c6ca-11e6-9043-7e34c07b46ef|title= The Berlin attack calls for strength and calm. German lives and values are under attack. Protect them both|newspaper= Financial Times|date= 20 December 2016|publisher=FT.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-criticised-response-berlin-attack-compared-unfavourably-obama-1597480|title=Trump criticised for response to Berlin attack and compared unfavourably with Obama|first=Harriet|last=Sinclair|date=20 December 2016|publisher=.ibtimes.co.uk|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221130409/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-criticised-response-berlin-attack-compared-unfavourably-obama-1597480|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/angela-merkel-berlin-christmas-market-afd-far-right-populism-refugees-a7486426.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/angela-merkel-berlin-christmas-market-afd-far-right-populism-refugees-a7486426.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Angela Merkel should not be blamed for the massacre at the Berlin Christmas market|date=20 December 2016|newspaper=independent.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/21/berlin-christmas-market-terror-angela-merkel|title=Amid the bloody carnage left by hate, Angela Merkel is a beacon of sanity|date=21 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|last1=Perkins |first1=Anne }} The editorial board of The New York Times wrote that it was "dangerous" to blame German refugee policy without waiting for facts about the identity of the attacker to emerge.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/20/opinion/a-cruel-test-for-germany-and-for-europe.html|title=A Cruel Test for Germany, and Europe|date=21 December 2016|work=The New York Times}}

A petition to award Urban the Bundesverdienstkreuz had gathered over 2,500 signatures by the afternoon of 22 December."[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/22/berlin-christmas-market-attack-polish-truck-driver-lukasz-urban-germany-order-merit Calls for Polish truck driver killed in Berlin to receive order of merit]". The Guardian. 22 December 2016. A donation page to support his family was set up on GoFundMe and collected more than €110,000 by 23 December by British truck driver Dave Duncan.{{cite news | title=Berlin attack: Crowdfunding appeal for murdered Polish driver passes £110,000 | work=The Independent | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-polish-truck-driver-murdered-chistmas-market-crowdfund-appeal-family-passes-a7492791.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-polish-truck-driver-murdered-chistmas-market-crowdfund-appeal-family-passes-a7492791.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date=23 December 2016 | access-date=4 January 2017}}{{cbignore}} He was officially thanked by Polish Ambassador to the United Kingdom Arkady Rzegocki at a ceremony at Embassy of Poland, London on 9 January 2017.{{cite news | title=Berlin attack: Fundraising trucker thanked by Poland | work=BBC News | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-38549555 | date=9 January 2016 | access-date=14 January 2017}} Polish authorities provided funds for the delivery of Urban to his family as well as the costs of the funeral and the family of Urban received a state pension. German authorities refused to reimburse the value of the destroyed truck which belonged to a company run by Urban's cousin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/id_84958206/berlin-attentat-am-breitscheidplatz-lkw-besitzer-kaempft-um-entschaedigung.html|title=Lkw-Besitzer spricht von Kampf "David gegen Goliath"|website=www.t-online.de|date=18 December 2018 |language=de|access-date=2018-12-29}}

Muslims and Christians in Berlin held a vigil in solidarity with the victims of the attack.{{cite news | title=Muslime zeigen Solidarität mit Opfern von Berlin | url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article160483287/Muslime-zeigen-Solidaritaet-mit-Opfern-von-Berlin.html | newspaper=Die Welt | date=21 December 2016 | access-date=22 December 2016 | language=de | last1=Kaiser | first1=Tobias | archive-date=22 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222223750/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article160483287/Muslime-zeigen-Solidaritaet-mit-Opfern-von-Berlin.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Berlin lorry attack: Muslim community holds vigil for victims | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38389333 | newspaper=BBC News | date=21 December 2016 | access-date=22 December 2016 | archive-date=22 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222061003/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38389333 | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Berlin's Muslim community sends message of peace and solidarity after Christmas market attack | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-muslim-community-germany-message-peace-solidarity-christmas-market-a7488571.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlin-attack-muslim-community-germany-message-peace-solidarity-christmas-market-a7488571.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | via=The Independent | date=21 December 2016 | access-date=22 December 2016}}{{cbignore}} The funeral of Urban was held on 30 December at the Polish village of Banie and was attended by hundreds of people including President of Poland Andrzej Duda.{{cite news | title=Hundreds attend funeral of Polish lorry driver killed in Berlin attack | work=The Independent | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hundreds-mourners-attend-funeral-berlin-attack-christmas-market-polish-lorry-driver-killed-lukasz-a7502481.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hundreds-mourners-attend-funeral-berlin-attack-christmas-market-polish-lorry-driver-killed-lukasz-a7502481.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date=30 December 2016 | access-date=4 January 2017}}{{cbignore}}

The German government reformed its security rules in response to the attack. Among the proposals in the anti-terror plan were easing the deportations of rejected asylum seekers, increasing surveillance of those to be deported and those considered to be terror risks, limiting movement of some asylum seekers within Germany, using electronic tags on those deemed terror threats without a trial, lengthening the period suspects can be held in custody and limiting development aid to countries that don't cooperate in deportation processes.{{cite news | title=Merkel Coalition Agrees on Anti-Terror Plan After Berlin Attack | newspaper=Bloomberg | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-10/merkel-coalition-agrees-on-anti-terror-plan-after-berlin-attack | via=Bloomberg L.P. | date=10 January 2017 | access-date=11 January 2017 | archive-date=11 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111143902/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-10/merkel-coalition-agrees-on-anti-terror-plan-after-berlin-attack | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Terror suspects could be forced to wear electronic tags under radical proposal from German justice minister | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/09/terror-suspects-could-forced-wear-electronic-tags-radical-proposal/ | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=9 January 2017 | access-date=11 January 2017 | last1=Huggler | first1=Justin | archive-date=11 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111071807/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/09/terror-suspects-could-forced-wear-electronic-tags-radical-proposal/ | url-status=live }} President of Tunisia Beji Caid Essebsi meanwhile stated that Europe "must be calm", vowing to take responsibility for the attacks, but insisted that it was necessary to verify citizenship before accepting deportations.{{cite news | title=Tunisia vows to 'take responsibility' after Berlin attack | url=https://www.thelocal.de/20170112/tunis-vows-to-assume-responsibility-after-berlin-attack | via=The Local | date=12 January 2017 | access-date=14 January 2017 | archive-date=13 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113153934/https://www.thelocal.de/20170112/tunis-vows-to-assume-responsibility-after-berlin-attack | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Tunis vows to 'assume responsibility' after Berlin attack | url=http://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2061680/tunis-vows-assume-responsibility-after-berlin-attack | work=South China Morning Post | date=12 January 2017 | access-date=14 January 2017 | archive-date=14 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114000551/http://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2061680/tunis-vows-assume-responsibility-after-berlin-attack | url-status=live }} The Bundestag passed a new surveillance law on 9 March in response to the attack as well as other attacks that occurred in Germany in 2016. The law gives priority to public safety when deciding on whether to permit installation of video surveillance in some locations and makes it easier for private companies to install these systems in public places. It also voted for allowing the Federal Police to install surveillance systems for reading and registering licence plate numbers.{{cite news | title=German Bundestag greenlights further surveillance measures | url=http://www.dw.com/en/german-bundestag-greenlights-further-surveillance-measures/a-37878350 | publisher=Deutsche Welle | date=9 March 2017 | access-date=13 March 2017 | archive-date=13 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313010049/http://www.dw.com/en/german-bundestag-greenlights-further-surveillance-measures/a-37878350 | url-status=live }}

{{See also|Islam in Germany#Salafism}}

In February 2017, the German Salafist mosque organisation Berliner Fussilet-Moscheeverein was banned by authorities. Amri was said to be among its visitors. In March 2017, the German Muslim community organisation Deutschsprachige Islamkreis Hildesheim was also banned after investigators found that its members were preparing to travel to the conflict zone in Syria to fight for the Islamic State. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, these examples show that Salafist mosques not only concern themselves with religious matters, but also prepare serious crimes and terrorist activities.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bpb.de/politik/extremismus/islamismus/268726/orte-der-islamistischen-radikalisierung|title=Orte der islamistischen Radikalisierung {{!}} bpb|last=Jaschke|first=Hans-Gerd|work=bpb.de|access-date=2018-12-01|language=de|archive-date=2 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202024714/http://www.bpb.de/politik/extremismus/islamismus/268726/orte-der-islamistischen-radikalisierung|url-status=live}}

In preparation for the Christmas market 2018, the Breitscheidplatz square and its surrounding were fortified against further terrorist attacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbb24.de/politik/beitrag/2018/11/berlin-breitscheidplatz-weihnachtsmarkt-sicherheit-barrieren-terror.html|title=Advent hinter Gitterkörben|website=www.rbb24.de|language=de|access-date=2018-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728082938/https://www.rbb24.de/politik/beitrag/2018/11/berlin-breitscheidplatz-weihnachtsmarkt-sicherheit-barrieren-terror.html|archive-date=28 July 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbb24.de/politik/beitrag/2018/11/berlin-weihnachtsmaerkte-sicherheitskonzepte-ueberfahrtaten.html|title=Wie Berlins Weihnachtsmärkte ihre Besucher schützen|website=www.rbb24.de|language=de|access-date=2018-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801002304/https://www.rbb24.de/politik/beitrag/2018/11/berlin-weihnachtsmaerkte-sicherheitskonzepte-ueberfahrtaten.html|archive-date=1 August 2019|url-status=dead}}

On the fourth anniversary in December 2020, a ceremony, which was attended by survivors and relatives of the victims, was held at the Breitscheidplatz to commemorate those killed in the attack. The archbishop of Berlin Heiner Koch said in his prayers that Berlin "was not the same as before".{{Cite web|title=Zwölf Glockenschläge für die Terroropfer vom Breitscheidplatz|url=https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/beitrag/2020/12/stilles-gedenken-opfer-breitscheidplatz-berlin-terror.html|access-date=2021-06-13|website=www.rbb24.de|language=de|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613071346/https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/beitrag/2020/12/stilles-gedenken-opfer-breitscheidplatz-berlin-terror.html|url-status=dead}}

{{OSM Location map

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| zoom = 5

| width = 450

|height = 350

| float =

| caption =
A map of Amri's movements in the days following the attack

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| label-pos1 = top

| label-size1 = 12

| label-color1 = black

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| mark-coord1= {{coord|52|31|00|N| 13|23|20|E}}

| mark-description1=Berlin

| label2 = Nijmegen

| label-pos2 = right

| label-size2 = 12

| label-color2 = black

| mark-size2 = 20

| mark-coord2 = {{coord|51|51|N|5|52|E}}

| mark-description2=Nijmegen

| label3 = Lyon

| label-pos3 = top

| mark-coord3= {{coord|45|46|N|4|50|E}}

| mark-description3=Lyon

| label4 = Chambéry

| label-pos4 = bottom

| mark-coord4= {{coord|45|34|00|N|5|54|42|E}}

| mark-description4=Chambéry

| label5 =

| position5 = left

| mark-coord5= {{coord|45|04|N|7|42|E}}

| mark-description5=Torino

| label6 =

| mark-coord6= {{coord|45|28|N|9|11|E}}

| mark-description6=Milano

}}

• 19 December 2016 – Polish lorry driver Łukasz Urban, 37, has his vehicle hijacked in the heart of Berlin. Shortly after 20:00 local time – The hijacked truck veers into a traditional Christmas market in the shadow of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Eleven people are killed, Urban is found stabbed and shot dead in the cabin. Shortly after the attack, a 23-year-old Pakistani asylum-seeker is arrested nearby based on a description by a witness who had attempted to chase the attacker but lost sight of him.
• 20 December 2016 – Following 24 hours of confusion, the Pakistani suspect is released by police as no evidence could be found that would link the man to the attack. Police state they believe the actual attacker to still be at large, possibly armed and dangerous.
• 21 December 2016 – Anis Amri, a Tunisian man with connections to ISIL, whose asylum request to Germany had been rejected,{{cite web

| url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-1126946.html

| title = Germany Orders Manhunt for Tunisian Suspect

| date = 21 December 2016

| publisher = Spiegel Online GmbH

| access-date = 26 December 2016

| archive-date = 26 December 2016

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161226221923/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-1126946.html

| url-status = live

}} is announced as the new chief suspect after his documents were reportedly found in the wreckage of the hijacked lorry. He is said to have been using six different names under three different nationalities. Later in the day, a reward of up to €100,000 (£85,000) is offered by German authorities for information leading to Amri's arrest. The country's security is placed under fresh scrutiny following revelations that covert surveillance of the 24-year-old Amri had been discontinued after more than six months, due to police finding nothing to substantiate an initial tip-off.

• 19–22 December 2016 – Amri likely travelled to Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where it is thought he took a bus to the Lyon-Part-Dieu train station in France. He then took a train from Lyon, via Chambéry, France, to Milan, Italy, via the Italian city of Turin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38452595|title=Berlin truck attack: Tunisian 'linked to Anis Amri' held|date=2016-12-28|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-12-28|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119200929/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38452595|url-status=live}}
• 22 December 2016 – Amri's brother Abdelkader urges Amri to turn himself in, adding that his family "dissociate" themselves from him. The spokeswoman for Germany's federal prosecutor office announces that the fingerprints of Amri had been discovered on the outside of the truck, the driver's door and the vertical support beam in its window area.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/22/police-raid-flats-in-search-for-berlin-truck-attack-suspect-anis-amri|title=Fingerprints in Berlin truck match those of suspect Anis Amri|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 December 2016|access-date=30 December 2016}}
• 23 December 2016 – 1 am – Amri arrives at the Central Station of Milan, Italy, via Turin. 3 am – Italian Police on a routine patrol in Sesto San Giovanni spot a "very suspicious" male walking through the city center. After being approached by the officers and asked to provide identification documents, the man draws a fire-arm from his backpack and begins shooting. In the ensuing shootout one police officer is injured and the suspect, later identified as Amri, is killed. 10 am – Italian interior minister Marco Minniti holds a morning press conference to announce, with "no doubt", that Italian police had shot and killed the Berlin terrorism suspect.Louise Burke Patrick Sawer, Josephine McKenna in Milan, Louise Osborne in Berlin (23 December 2016). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/23/berlin-christmas-market-attack-suspect-anis-amri-reportedly/ Berlin attack suspect 'pledged allegiance to Isil', as questions raised over how he travelled 1,000 miles across Europe before he was shot dead by police in Milan] – The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 December 2016. Amaq releases a video of Amri pledging allegiance to ISIL during the day.
• 29 December 2016 – Prosecutors confirm the attacker sent a voice message and a picture to a contact before the attack.
• 4 January 2017 – A 26-year-old Tunisian man who knew Amri since late 2015 and met him a day before the attack is detained. German police state they are investigating him as well as Amri's former flatmate. Italian police confirm gun used in attack matches the one on Amri.
• 10 March 2017 – Italian Interior Ministry announces that it has deported a 37-year-old Tunisian man linked to Amri.
• 19 September 2018 – Italian authorities deported a Tunisian imam who had been sentenced to jail for armed robbery and drug trafficking. He had spread radical propaganda in the prison and celebrated the actions of Amri in the prison located in Rebibbia. He was moved from the prison to a detention centre and then put on a plane to Cairo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cronache/imam-espulso-dall-italia-carcere-rebibbia-inneggiava-1578351.html|title=Imam espulso dall'Italia: dal carcere di Rebibbia inneggiava al terrorismo|work=ilGiornale.it|access-date=2018-10-02|language=it}}

{{Portal|Germany

}}{{Commons category}}

• List of Islamist terrorist attacks
• List of massacres in Germany
• List of terrorist incidents in December 2016
• Terrorism in Europe
• Terrorism in France
• Terrorism in Germany
• 2018 Münster attack
• 2018-2019 Bottrop and Essen car attack
• 2020 Volkmarsen attack
• 2020 Trier attack
• 2022 Berlin car attack
• 2024 Magdeburg car attack

{{clear|right}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Islamic terrorism in Europe}}

{{Terrorism in Germany}}

{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Berlin truck attack, 2016}}

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