Faeser sees high terrorism risk in Germany
The planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna shows: IS wants to continue spreading fear and terror. The threat remains high in Germany as well. The country is "in the target spectrum" of Islamic terrorists, warns Interior Minister Faeser.
After Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna were cancelled due to an Islamic terrorist attack plot, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned of a continued high terror threat in Germany. "The current investigations in Vienna show how seriously the threat from Islamic terrorism in Europe must be taken," the SPD politician told the Funke media group. "Our security authorities are closely coordinating with the Austrian authorities."
"The threat level from Islamic terrorism remains high in Germany," said Faeser. This was one of the reasons why Berlin, together with the federal states, had taken strong protective measures for the European Football Championship in Germany. "Germany, like other EU countries, is in the target spectrum of terrorist organizations like the so-called Islamic State," said Faeser. "The dangerous escalations in the Middle East since October 7, 2023 - the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war - could lead to further radicalization and emotionalization in the jihadist scene."
In recent months, German security authorities have repeatedly struck early to prevent attack plans, the minister said. "We follow up on every lead and act in close coordination with our international partners."
In the Austrian capital Vienna, three planned Taylor Swift concerts were cancelled on Wednesday evening due to Islamic terrorist attack plans. The police arrested a 19-year-old who claimed to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) organization. He confessed that he intended to carry out a suicide bombing with explosives and melee weapons near the concert arena. Another man arrested worked for a company that was supposed to provide services at the Ernst Happel Stadium, where Swift was due to perform.
"Despite the efforts to maintain security, Faeser admitted, 'I'm not going to sugarcoat it, the threat from Islamic terrorism is real and ongoing in Germany.' After the Vienna concert cancellation, she emphasized, 'I'm not going to lie, we cannot Completely eliminate the risk, but we stay vigilant and work tirelessly to mitigate potential threats.'"
