Berlin Pride parade attacker traveled to Lebanon via Turkey: 'His goal was to join ISIS'

New details have emerged regarding the attack during a Pride parade event in the German capital, Berlin, which resulted in 1 death and 29 injuries.

According to the BBC, police identified the suspect of the attack as 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent, Abdul Ballout. Information shared by the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office also included details regarding Ballout's background.

According to the prosecutor's office, Ballout traveled to Lebanon via Turkey in May 2025. The statement indicated that Ballout's goal was to join ISIS in Syria. It was also alleged that while in Lebanon, Ballout made contact with individuals he believed to be members of ISIS.

It was reported that Ballout was arrested in Lebanon in July 2025 and sentenced to 3 months in prison for inciting religious and sectarian conflict. It was stated that after returning to Germany in November 2025, Ballout was detained at Berlin Brandenburg Airport and placed in prison to await trial.

It was noted that in May 2026, Ballout was sentenced to 1 year and 10 months in prison for “preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state,” with the sentence suspended for 6 months. The prosecutor's statement also included information that Ballout had previously been convicted of assault and theft in 2022, and for stealing headphones in 2020.

On the night of Saturday, July 25, in Berlin, 1 person lost their life and 29 people were injured after a minibus drove into the crowd during a Pride parade event.

Following the incident, it was announced that Ballout had attacked police officers with a knife and was shot and killed after police opened fire.

News Source: 12punto