New Suspect In Berlin Terrorist Attack Identified; Was Arrested In August But Released By Judge

A new suspect has been identified in the Berlin Christmas market terrorist attack. It turns out it is somebody that was known to law enforcement. This surprises nobody.

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Law enforcement sources told CBS News that police are searching for Anis Amri, a native of Tunisia. The sources said Amri left personal documents in the truck that rammed into the market on Monday, killing 12 people and injuring nearly 50 others. German media outlets have identified the Tunisian man as an asylum seeker who was registered in the North Rhine-Westphalia in Western Germany.

In what appears to be the first big break since this investigation began, law enforcement sources said they found the suspect’s ID and asylum papers under the driver’s sea. Amri, believed to be 23 or 24 years old, was known to police. The suspect is probably armed, obviously dangerous, and the hunt is on to find him, reports CBS News correspondent Charlie D’Agata.

As for being known to law enforcement, the Amri was arrested in August with forged documents but was released by a judge:

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A German security official told CNN the suspect had been arrested in the southern German town of Friedrichshafen in August with forged documents on his way to Italy but was released by a judge.

The suspect also came onto the radar of German police at a certain point because he was looking for a gun, the official said.

The judge is going to have to answer for that one.

As for Amri, the fact that he was an asylum-seeker is going to be a major problem for Angela Merkel. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and putting two and two together is not all that difficult. It appears Amri used asylum as a means of getting into the country.

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