Terror alert - New detentions and further protection for Cologne Cathedral
In connection with the terror alert for Cologne Cathedral, the police remain vigilant even after further suspects have been taken into custody. Until further notice, the cathedral on the Rhine will be protected by officers. "There will continue to be security checks at the cathedral," said a spokesperson on Monday. "How long this measure will be maintained is currently under review." Meanwhile, New Year's Eve, for which the police had prepared with many officers due to indications of a possible Islamist attack plan, passed without incident.
Massively tightened security measures have been in place around Cologne Cathedral since Christmas. Information about a possible attack scenario had been received shortly beforehand. According to the Cologne police, they related to New Year's Eve and the turn of the year. On Christmas Eve, police initially took a 30-year-old Tajik man into custody in Wesel "to avert danger".
On New Year's Eve, the police then announced that three more suspects had been arrested - in Duisburg, Herne and Nörvenich in the district of Düren. One attack was to have been carried out with a car, said Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns. According to initial reports, however, nothing was found during the searches that "indicated an immediate" attack. According to Frank Wißbaum, head of operations, the underground car park under the cathedral was also searched in the hours before the turn of the year - but nothing was found.
The three suspects were taken into custody. According to the police, it turned out that the 30-year-old Tajik was part of a larger network that also extended to other German states and other European countries. They spoke of a "network of people from Central Asia". There were initially no further details about the suspects. While the 30-year-old was taken into so-called long-term custody until January 7, it was initially unclear whether this measure was also being sought for the other three people.
New Year's Eve remained without any major incidents at Cologne Cathedral. Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki celebrated an end-of-year mass with the faithful under heavy police protection. Those attending the service first had to pass through a security gate in tents set up in front of the main entrance. Large bags or laptops were not allowed to be taken into the cathedral.
"I would like to thank our security forces, who began protecting this cathedral in the days leading up to Christmas and also protecting us, so that we can celebrate religious services and the fundamental right to the free exercise of religion continues to be guaranteed in our country," said Woelki at the start of the mass.
Police statement on the danger warning for the cathedral (December 23) Police statement on security measures at Cologne Cathedral (December 26) Police statement on long-term detention for 30-year-old (December 26) Cathedral services in the cathedral Press conference on December 31, 2023
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- Despite the recent detentions, the police in North Rhine-Westphalia continue their vigilance on Saint's Eve due to the terror alert for Cologne Cathedral, located on the Rhine.
- The increased security measures around Cologne Cathedral started shortly before Christmas, following information about a potential attack scenario on New Year's Eve.
- On Saint's Eve, along with the cathedral, other locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as Duisburg, Herne, and Nörvenich in the Düren district, underwent enhanced security measures due to terrorism concerns.
- Among those arrested prior to New Year's Eve was a 30-year-old Tajik man in Wesel to prevent potential danger, as suggested by intelligence information.
- The terror alert during New Year's Eve in Cologne included a threat involving a car attack, but the authorities did not find any direct evidence to support an immediate attack scenario.
- Despite the increased police presence and security checks at Cologne Cathedral during New Year's Eve, the religious service led by Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki went smoothly without major incidents.
- With the end of the year approaching, the discussions regarding the possibility of long-term detention for the suspects in connection with the terror alert continued, affecting not only those arrested in Cologne but also other suspects in other German states and European countries.
Source: www.stern.de
