Terrorism - Plans to attack Cologne Cathedral, measures on Christmas Eve
Shortly before the Christmas services, the police increased security measures at Cologne Cathedral due to indications of a possible attack plan by an Islamist group. Police officers searched the cathedral with sniffer dogs on Saturday evening and announced that they would be checking all visitors on Christmas Eve. The police in Vienna also increased their protective measures. According to dpa information, security authorities had indications that a church in Vienna was also a possible target of the group. The newspaper "Bild" had previously reported this.
The police in Cologne wanted to make a general statement on the investigation on Sunday morning. At the same time, it was said that the authority would not comment on details due to the ongoing investigation.
According to dpa information, the group could possibly be linked to an offshoot of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist network, which calls itself the Islamic State Province of Khorasan (ISPK) and has been fighting an armed conflict with the militant Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan for several years.
According to "Bild", the first arrests by special units in Vienna and one in Germany were made on Saturday. The Directorate of State Security and Intelligence at the Austrian Interior Ministry did not want to comment on possible arrests. "We ask for your understanding that we are not commenting on current investigations," a spokesperson in Vienna said late on Saturday evening in response to an inquiry.
The Cologne police had justified the increase in their protective measures with an indication of danger, without giving details. State security, which is active in politically motivated crimes, had begun investigations. Visitors to religious services at Cologne Cathedral and tourists will have to be prepared for increased security standards over the next few days.
"Even if the reference is to New Year's Eve, we will be doing everything we can tonight to ensure the safety of cathedral visitors on Christmas Eve. In coordination with the security officer of the cathedral chapter, the cathedral will be searched with sniffer dogs after the evening mass and then locked," said the head of the Cologne criminal investigation department, Michael Esser, according to a statement. In the evening, police vehicles drove up in front of Cologne Cathedral, as dpa reporters observed. Police sniffer dogs were also deployed.
A statement from the Vienna police previously said that the security authorities in Austria had increased their protective measures in view of calls for terrorist attacks against Christian events throughout Europe, especially on Christmas Eve. Also due to a current threat assessment by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, there is generally an increased risk situation during the Christmas holidays, the police announced. As a precautionary measure, there will be increased surveillance of high-risk locations in Vienna and the federal states, including churches and Christmas markets.
Civilian and uniformed forces with special equipment and rifles will be deployed. "Police attention will be focused primarily on churches and religious events, especially church services, and Christmas markets," the police added.
The terror alert level in Austria remains elevated, the police added. The additional precautionary measures serve to maintain general security in Austria, it said.
Since the terrorist attack by Islamist Hamas on Israel on October 7, fears have been growing that there could also be attacks in Germany.
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- Despite the heightened security measures, attending the Christmas service at the Cologne Cathedral was still a deeply felt experience for many visitors.
- The terror network linked to the possible attack plan was reportedly active in Afghanistan and was known as the Islamic State Province of Khorasan (ISPK).
- The Vienna police announced that they were increasing their security measures due to calls for terrorist attacks against Christian events throughout Europe, specifically on Christmas Eve.
- The head of the Cologne criminal investigation department, Michael Esser, assured that police dogs would be used to search the Cologne Cathedral after the evening mass on Christmas Eve.
- The Austrian Interior Ministry's Directorate of State Security and Intelligence chose not to comment on any potential arrests related to the investigation.
- The increased risk situation during the holidays, according to a current threat assessment, prompted the police to implement additional precautionary measures across Austria.
- Despite the potential danger, retailers in Cologne reported that their Christmas business was continuing as usual, with many people still shopping for gifts and holiday decorations.
- In Germany, there were growing concerns following the terrorist attack by Islamist Hamas on Israel on October 7, leading some to fear potential attacks within the country during the holiday season.
- The Taliban, who have been fighting an armed conflict with the ISPK for several years, issued a statement denying any involvement in the planned attack on the Cologne Cathedral.
- As a result of the increased security measures, some tourists and visitors expressed frustration and disappointment at being subjected to additional screenings and searches during the holidays.
- In response to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the global threat of terrorism, Austria and Germany have both strengthened their cooperation with intelligence agencies and security forces to prevent future attacks.
Source: www.stern.de
