German court sentences Afghan national to life in prison over deadly Munich car-ramming attack

MUNICH, Aug. 6: A German court on Thursday sentenced an Afghan national to life imprisonment for a deadly car-ramming attack at a trade union demonstration in Munich that killed two people and injured dozens.

The Higher Regional Court in Munich convicted 25-year-old Farhad N. on charges including two counts of murder, 23 counts of attempted murder, 19 counts of causing dangerous bodily harm and three counts of intentional bodily harm over the February 2025 attack.

The court also ruled that the defendant’s guilt was of a particularly serious nature, a decision that significantly reduces the possibility of early release under German law.

According to the court, Farhad N. intentionally drove his vehicle into participants of a Verdi trade union demonstration from behind, killing a 37-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter. More than 40 people were injured in the attack.

The verdict matched the sentence requested by federal prosecutors, who argued that the attack was driven by a combination of religious and political influences, personal isolation and unclear fears.

The defense had sought a 15-year prison sentence and requested psychiatric treatment instead of a life sentence. During the trial, Farhad N. did not reveal a clear motive for the attack.