Juvenile accused of plotting assault in court hearing
A 16-year-old from the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis stands accused of plotting an islamist-inspired attack at the Leverkusen Christmas market, as outlined in the Cologne Regional Court trial. The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office charges this minor with intent to commit murder. The trial, held in the Youth Chamber, is closed to the public.
In a video recorded in November 2023, the teen is said to have announced his intended attack, using derogatory language such as "infidels" to describe potential victims. Alongside a suspect from Brandenburg, he is alleged to have seriously discussed and planned such an attack at the Leverkusen Christmas market.
According to previous statements from the Prosecutor's Office, the two suspects considered using a minivan loaded with gas cylinders for the attack, which they intended to detonate. These suspects were apprehended in November based on terrorism charges.
At the time of their arrest, investigators reported that the attack plan bore striking resemblance to targets and tactics of the infamous Islamic State (IS). If found guilty, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of ten years in a youth detention facility. A verdict in the case is expected by the end of June.
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- The terrorist attack plot at the Leverkusen Christmas market was not an isolated incident in North Rhine-Westphalia, as another individual from Brandenburg was also charged with similar crimes, influenced by Islamist ideologies and potentially linked to the Islamic State.
- The International community has shown concern over the rise of terrorist attacks in Europe, with Germany, specifically North Rhine-Westphalia, becoming a hotspot for crimes motivated by extremist Islamism, such as the plot in Cologne.
- To ensure justice is served and prevent future terrorist attacks, law enforcement agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia are collaborating with international intelligence agencies to gather information and monitor the activities of potential threat actors and organizations, including the Islamic State.
- While the legal proceedings against the juvenile accused of planning a terrorist attack in Leverkusen are ongoing, the city of Cologne and other regions in North Rhine-Westphalia are implementing increased security measures to protect its citizens and visitors from potential threats, working closely with regional and international partners to combat terrorism and maintain public safety.
