Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia had previously sought the extradition of Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, the attacker in the deadly car-ramming incident at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg that claimed five lives on Friday evening, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP on Monday.

The source confirmed that Riyadh had issued an extradition request, adding that Saudi authorities had warned Germany multiple times that Abdulmohsen "could be dangerous."

"There was (an extradition) request," said the source. "Riyadh had warned he 'could be dangerous'."

The 50-year-old psychiatrist, who was known for making online death threats and had a history of legal troubles, also allegedly assisted Saudi women in fleeing their country.

According to the source, Saudi officials had repeatedly expressed concerns over Abdulmohsen.

Abdulmohsen had portrayed himself on social media as a victim of persecution and had renounced Islam. He criticized the "Islamization of Germany" and presented himself as an outspoken opponent of Saudi Arabia's policies.

Abdulmohsen, who arrived in Germany in 2006, was granted refugee status a decade later, according to German media reports and a Saudi activist.

The German authorities are continuing their investigation into the attack, which shocked the nation during the holiday season.