German Police Foil Terror Plot, Arrest Suspect

Raids across North Rhine-Westphalia target Islamist extremism

German authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with an alleged plot to finance an Islamist terror attack. The arrest followed coordinated raids in western Germany, underscoring the nation’s heightened vigilance against extremism.

One Arrested in Anti-Terror Raids

A 27-year-old man holding Bosnian-Herzegovinian citizenship was arrested. He is suspected of attempting to finance a planned Islamist terror attack through fraudulent commercial activities. The suspect was scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Wednesday.

Law enforcement conducted searches of six properties in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, as part of the operation. The cities targeted included Essen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, and Soest.

According to a joint statement from the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office and Essen police, the investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that funds acquired through commercial fraud were intended to finance an Islamist terrorist attack. The raids were carried out to prevent further planning and execution of the suspected attack, while clarifying the circumstances surrounding it.

In Germany, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimates there are 31,500 Islamists, of whom 11,100 are seen as potentially violent (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution).

Ongoing Investigation

The raids are part of a “comprehensive investigation into suspected organized commercial fraud,” officials stated. Authorities are working to determine the full extent of the plot and identify any other individuals who may be involved.

The continuing threat of Islamist terrorism remains a central concern for German security services. These raids in North Rhine-Westphalia are aimed at preventing a suspected planned attack, demonstrating Germany’s commitment to countering extremism.