Germany arrests Syrian man suspected of planning an Islamic extremist assault

German authorities have arrested a Syrian man on suspicion of planning to hold out an explosives assault motivated by Islamic extremism, officers mentioned Tuesday.

Federal police mentioned officers arrested the 28-year-old man early Tuesday within the northern metropolis of Hamburg primarily based on a court-issued warrant for suspected terrorism financing offenses.

Investigators say the person is suspected of attempting to acquire substances on-line that may have allowed him to producer an explosive belt “so as to perform an assault towards civilian targets.”

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Police say the person was inspired and supported in his motion by his 24-year-old brother, who lives within the southern city of Kempten. German information company dpa reported that the youthful man was additionally detained.

The brothers, whose names weren’t instantly launched, have been described by federal police as being motivated by “radical Islamist and jihadist” views.

Authorities mentioned that they had no data indicating a concrete goal for the deliberate assault.

The metropolis of Kempten, Germany, is seen on April 25, 2023. German authorities have detained a Syrian man on suspicion of planning to hold out an assault motivated by Islamic extremism. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa by way of AP)

Police searched properties in Hamburg and Kempten, seizing giant quantities of proof together with chemical substances, officers mentioned. Some 250 officers have been concerned within the operation.

Germany’s high safety official thanked police, saying their actions “have prevented potential Islamist assault plans.”

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Interior Minister Nancy Faeser mentioned the case confirmed that the hazard of Islamic extremism remained excessive and pledged that German safety companies would proceed to take all details about such threats significantly.

“Germany stays a direct goal of Islamist terrorist organizations,” she mentioned. “Islamist-motivated lone perpetrators are one other important menace.”

In a separate case, authorities in western Germany mentioned Tuesday that they’re investigating a potential extremist motive in an assault at a health club in Duisburg final week. A 26-year-old Syrian was arrested days after the assault, during which 4 males have been significantly wounded and considered one of them stays in life-threatening situation.

Duesseldorf prosecutors mentioned a evaluate of the suspect’s cellphone indicated that “there might have been an Islamist motive” behind the assault, however declined to elaborate. The man is presently being held on suspicion of tried homicide and different offenses.