1-1-2024 (BERLIN) Authorities apprehended three additional suspects connected to an alleged scheme to target Germany’s renowned Cologne Cathedral on New Year’s Eve, revealed Cologne police director Frank Wissbaum during a press briefing.
According to Wissbaum, the suspected attackers had devised a plan to employ a vehicle in assaulting the historic 800-year-old Gothic monument situated by the Rhine river. While the specifics of the intended attack method remained unclear, investigators conducted thorough searches of an underground car park beneath the cathedral using explosive-sniffing dogs overnight, as detailed by Wissbaum.
Expressing relief, Wissbaum declared, “The three individuals are now securely in custody, which we are very glad about since they can no longer communicate with each other.”
The police director disclosed that late on Saturday, evidence surfaced linking the three detainees to a 30-year-old Tajik man with alleged affiliations to the Islamic State militant movement. This individual had been in custody since December 24, prompting federal authorities to extend their inquiry into what Wissbaum termed a “network of individuals” hailing from Central Asia and having connections to various German states and European countries. The identity and background of those currently in custody were not disclosed.
The arrests took place in the western cities of Duisburg, Herne, and Noervenich, with law enforcement seizing communication devices during searches conducted at the suspects’ residences.
As a precautionary measure, security has been bolstered in and around the Cologne Cathedral in anticipation of the New Year’s Eve service. Authorities issued a warning to the public not to be alarmed if they observe officers carrying machine guns and wearing body armor.
Additionally, Berlin is on high alert with thousands of extra police deployed, recalling the previous year’s celebrations marred by violent clashes. In a bid to ensure public safety, law enforcement is particularly vigilant following the banning of a pro-Palestinian solidarity demonstration scheduled for midnight.
The investigation continues, with authorities focused on unraveling the intricacies of the alleged plot and the network associated with it. The heightened security measures underscore the gravity of the situation as Germany prepares to usher in the New Year.
