German authorities announced Tuesday that investigators have uncovered what appears to be a claim of responsibility connected to the suspect in the deadly attack that took place near Berlin’s Pride festival.
The suspect, 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, died after a confrontation with police on Sunday — one day after authorities say he drove a van into a crowd gathered near the festival’s closing party and then attacked others with a machete. A Polish woman lost her life in the attack, and 31 additional people were injured.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that investigators are examining a cellphone that was recovered from the van. A possible video claiming responsibility for the attack was found on the device, and the disguised individual appearing in the video is believed to be Ballout.
Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office confirmed the video exists and that it includes a statement of intent to carry out an attack, along with a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State group. The German newspaper Bild was first to report on the video’s existence.
Dobrindt also noted that additional evidence was found at an apartment, including what he described as “references” to IS, though he did not provide further details.
Berlin prosecutors have said Ballout was born in Germany and has Lebanese heritage. In 2025, he traveled to Lebanon with the intention of crossing into Syria to join IS, making contact with several individuals believed to be members of the group.
The case has raised serious questions about how Ballout was able to move around freely despite having a prior conviction that included attempted ties to IS.
Dobrindt argued that individuals identified as dangerous should not be released on suspended sentences, and called it “dubious” that juvenile law was applied in Ballout’s case. He also said ankle monitoring devices should be used to restrict the movement of such individuals, while acknowledging that “absolute security” is never possible.
