Security has been increased at German Christmas markets after several deadly attacks, but social media have amplified fear with doctored videos and AI images showing militarised markets and alleged Muslim mobs. AFP Factcheck traced viral clips to unrelated events — including a banned rally and earlier celebrations — and confirmed a widely shared prayer video actually came from a 2023 Bavarian event with a different theme. Experts say this disinformation aims to inflame emotions and deepen societal divisions, while the far-right AfD has exploited such incidents to push anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Fake News Flood Targets German Christmas Markets — Doctored Videos and AI Images Exposed
Visitors crowd the Christmas market on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin (John MACDOUGALL)(John MACDOUGALL/AFP/AFP)
Security at German Christmas markets has been tightened after a string of deadly attacks, but social media posts have wildly exaggerated the threat, circulating doctored videos and AI-generated images that portray markets as militarised zones or the scene of mass disturbances.
Verified Misinformation
A wave of disinformation spread online falsely showing metre-high barbed-wire fences, armoured vehicles and crowds of "Muslim men" storming markets. AFP Factcheck investigated and found many viral clips originate from unrelated events: an October 2024 rally by the activist group Muslim Interaktiv (since banned) and separate celebrations by Syrians marking the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Misattributed Prayer Video
One widely shared clip appeared to show an Islamic call to prayer at a German Christmas market, prompting outraged comments across platforms. AFP traced the footage to November 2023 in Karlstadt, Bavaria — an event called the Andreasmarkt that changes theme yearly and had invited two local Islamic groups to participate. Organisers told AFP the event was not a Christmas market, and a different market was scheduled for December, which explains the Christmas tree seen in the clip.
Context: Why This Resonates
German Christmas markets are a long-standing cultural tradition featuring stalls selling gifts, food and mulled wine. Recent violent incidents have understandably raised public concern: a car-ramming attack in Magdeburg last year killed six and injured more than 300, and the 2016 truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market killed 13. In mid-December, authorities arrested five men (an Egyptian, a Syrian and three Moroccans) suspected of plotting to ram a vehicle into a Bavarian market.
Political and Social Impact
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seized on such incidents to press for "remigration" and stricter immigration policies. Experts warn that manipulated content and AI images are being used to inflame emotions, deepen societal divisions and amplify far-right narratives about immigration and the "Islamisation" of public life.
“Christmas symbolism stands for joy, a warm feeling of community and security,” said Lea Fruehwirth of Germany's Centre for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy. She added that narratives accusing Muslims of trying to destroy this image are designed to sow mistrust.
What Readers Should Know
Not all alarming footage shared online reflects current reality. Many viral posts are repurposed, dated or AI-generated. Verify sources, check timestamps and look for credible fact-checks before sharing. Authorities have increased security at many markets as a precaution, but images of militarised sites circulating on social media are often fabricated or misattributed.
