Life Sentence for Munich Car Attack: Afghan Man Jailed | Breaking

A 25-year-old Afghan man has been sentenced to life in prison for the February 2025 car-ramming attack on a Munich trade union rally that killed a mother and her two-year-old daughter. The Munich Higher Regional Court on Thursday found Farhad Noori guilty of two counts of murder and 23 counts of attempted murder, imposing a sentence of life with a finding of 'particular gravity of guilt' — meaning early release is all but ruled out under German law.

What Happened in the Munich Car Attack?

On the morning of 13 February 2025, just before the start of the Munich Security Conference, a white Mini Cooper driven by Noori accelerated into a peaceful protest march of around 1,400 ver.di trade union members on Dachauer Straße. The car struck dozens at high speed; a 37-year-old woman, Amel, and her two-year-old daughter Hafsa were thrown ten metres and died days later from head injuries. In total, 43 people were injured — many seriously. The attack lasted only seconds before police pulled Noori from the vehicle as he shouted 'Allahu Akbar' and recited the Shahada.

The incident was one of several deadly extremist attacks in Germany in the months leading up to the 2025 federal election, alongside the Magdeburg Christmas market attack and the Aschaffenburg stabbing. Noori, who arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied minor in 2016, had seen his asylum claim rejected but was later granted a residence permit. A Quran and prayer beads were found in his car, and he later told investigators he acted 'in the name of Allah' as a response to Western policies in Gaza and Afghanistan, though he was not linked to any organised terrorist group.

The Trial and Sentencing

Noori stood trial before the Munich Higher Regional Court, which heard harrowing testimony from survivors and witnesses. On 6 August 2026, the court delivered its verdict: guilty on two counts of murder, 23 of attempted murder, and multiple counts of bodily harm. 'The defendant's actions were driven by a deep-seated religious radicalisation that he acted upon with ruthless determination,' the presiding judge stated, according to DPA. The court applied the rarely used 'besondere Schwere der Schuld' (particular gravity of guilt), which means that the normal 15-year parole review is excluded and the offender can expect to remain incarcerated for the rest of his life.

Under German criminal law, life imprisonment is the maximum penalty, as the country abolished the death penalty. The finding of particular gravity of guilt is reserved for the most heinous crimes and signals that society views neither rehabilitation nor release as a realistic prospect. The verdict came as a relief to the victims' families, who had endured months of legal proceedings and political exploitation of the tragedy. This case echoes the judicial handling of other terrorist attacks in Europe where courts have grappled with lone-actor radicalisation.

Impact on German Politics and Immigration Debate

The attack occurred just one week before the 2025 Bundestag elections, instantly becoming a flashpoint in an already heated campaign. Opposition parties, especially the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), seized on the attacker's immigration background to demand tougher asylum rules and border controls. In a poignant counterpoint, the family of Amel and Hafsa — who themselves had a migration background — publicly pleaded that their deaths not be 'instrumentalised for hate.' Yet the attack contributed to a surge in support for anti-immigration platforms, forcing the next government to tighten security and migration policies.

Similar dynamics have played out across Europe, where vehicle-ramming attacks and immigration debates have repeatedly intertwined in the aftermath of tragedies. The Munich attack, together with earlier incidents, pushed German authorities to expand surveillance of potentially radicalised individuals and to accelerate deportation procedures for rejected asylum seekers who pose a threat. Interior ministers from several states have since called for a more robust exchange of intelligence and a faster judicial response to hate crimes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the perpetrator of the Munich car attack?

Farhad Noori, a 24-year-old (now 25) Afghan national who came to Germany as an unaccompanied minor in 2016. His asylum claim was rejected, but he held a residence permit at the time of the attack.

What was the motive behind the attack?

Prosecutors described the motive as religious extremism. Noori stated he acted in response to the suffering of Muslims in Gaza and Afghanistan. He was not a member of any known terrorist organisation.

How many victims were there?

Two people were killed — a 37-year-old mother and her 2-year-old daughter — and 43 others were injured, many seriously.

What is 'particular gravity of guilt' under German law?

It is a legal finding that makes a life sentence effectively permanent. Normally, a life sentence can be reviewed for parole after 15 years, but this finding excludes that possibility unless exceptional circumstances arise later.

How did the attack influence German elections?

It intensified the debate on immigration and security, boosting the far-right AfD and prompting calls for stricter asylum policies. The attack occurred a week before the February 2025 federal election.