Terrorism - Raid before EM-Finale - Plot by Islamists?
Due to concerns about an Islamic terrorist attack, Police approached three men directly before the UEFA European Football Championship final in Berlin. Their apartments in Potsdam were searched by Special Operations Commando Teams from Brandenburg and Berlin, according to a police spokesperson.
The suspects were examined based on police preventive measures. In Berlin, precautionary security measures were taken into account for the final at the Olympiastadion in the evening. However, "there are no concrete indications of attack plans," the spokesperson said. "The operation for the EURO final in Berlin proceeded without any special incidents or events related to the threat warning," she added.
Report: Suspects under Surveillance
According to their statements, the police received a tip about a possible upcoming attack. Whether the tip came from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany or abroad, the spokesperson would not say. Further information about the background of the operation could not be disclosed "for investigative tactical reasons," it was stated.
According to "Bild" newspaper, the Men had already been under observation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution because they were known as IS supporters. According to the newspaper's information, they took photos of the Memorial Church and the surrounding area with their cell phones on July 13th - apparently to case the area and security measures.
Thousands of fans to the EURO final in Berlin
Traditionally, football fans gather before a game to celebrate. Before the EURO final between the English and Spanish national teams, thousands of English fans gathered together for the evening. Thousands of Spanish fans celebrated near the Olympiastadion. Additionally, thousands of people watched the EURO final at the fan zones near the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag building.
At the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz, 13 people were killed in an Islamic terrorist attack about eight years ago - one of them later died from the consequences. More than 70 people were injured, some severely. An Islamic terrorist had stolen a truck on December 19, 2016, then drove it into the Christmas market at Kurfürstendamm. The attacker escaped to Italy, where he was shot by police.
- The police operation was a response to fears of Islamist terrorism, as demonstrated by the recent incident at Breitscheidplatz where 13 people were tragically killed due to terrorism.
- Despite the serious concerns, the European Football Championship final in Berlin proceeded without any significant incidents related to extremism.
- The men under surveillance were identified as Islamist supporters, with reports suggesting they had been under observation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
- The police raid on the men's apartments in Potsdam was a collaborative effort between Special Operations Commando Teams from Brandenburg and Berlin.
- European Football Championship finals, like the one in Berlin, often attract large crowds, making security measures and the work of the police even more crucial.
- The police spokesperson highlighted that no concrete indications of attack plans had been found during their investigation, but preventive measures were still taken to ensure the safety of all attendees.
- As the final approached, thousands of English and Spanish fans convened near the Olympiastadion, while others gathered at fan zones near landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.
