Four arrests in Austria in operation against Islamist network

Four arrests in Austria in operation against Islamist network

Previously, the Bild newspaper had reported that the security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain had received information that an Islamist extremist cell was possibly planning to carry out several attacks in Europe on New Year's Eve or Christmas. Targets could also be Christmas services in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid. In Cologne, the police took special protective measures for the cathedral on Saturday evening due to a "danger alert" and searched the place of worship with sniffer dogs into the night.

Bild" and ARD also reported the arrest of a suspected Islamist in Germany. According to information from the ARD capital city studio, the man was arrested in Saarland. He is said to have been known to the authorities as an extremist for a long time.

According to "Bild", the suspects arrested in Austria and Germany are said to be Tajiks. They are therefore linked to the Afghan branch of the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS), which calls itself the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISPK).

According to the police, the threat warning for Cologne Cathedral related to New Year's Eve, but the security measures were brought forward to the Christmas period. After the search, the cathedral was temporarily closed, but then reopened for the events on Sunday.

In Vienna, the police explained on Saturday that due to a "current threat assessment" by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the still elevated terror alert level, there is "generally an increased risk in Austria" during the Christmas holidays. The authorities have increased the appropriate protective measures.

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1. The Ministry of the Interior in Spain is closely monitoring the situation, given the potential threats reported by the security authorities in Austria and Germany.
2. According to news agency APA, the Austrian authorities have confirmed the arrests of four individuals linked to the Islamist network.
3. The picture newspaper in Germany, Bild, reported that the arrests in Austria were part of an operation against an alleged Islamist network planning attacks during the Christmas period.
4. The threat assessment in Vienna also led to increased protective measures during the Christmas holidays, as stated by the Vienna Police.
5. In an interview with a European news outlet, the German Police mentioned their role in dismantling the Islamist network and making arrests within their jurisdiction.
6. Despite the arrests, the threat level in Europe remains high, prompting authorities to urge vigilance and cooperation during the festive season.
7. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has released a statement, expressing solidarity with Austria and Germany and reiterating their commitment to combating terrorism and protecting their citizens.
8. In Madrid, Christmas events are being closely monitored, with additional security measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees.
9. The arrests in Austria and Germany have been widely covered in the European media, with many outlets highlighting the cooperation between security agencies in different countries.
10. The ARD capital city studio reported that the suspect arrested in Saarland was a member of the same Islamist network, further strengthening the movement's connection to the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISPK).
11. The Vienna Police have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and cooperation with international partners as part of their mission to protect the constitution.

Source: www.stern.de