Christianity

Security checks at the entrance, police vehicles in front of the cathedral: Shortly before the Christmas services, the police significantly increased security measures at Cologne Cathedral. The security authorities had received information about a possible attack plan by an Islamist group on the cathedral and a church in Vienna.

Police officers checked visitors to the cathedral on Sunday, as a dpa reporter reported. The police were also present in front of it with officers and around a dozen vehicles. According to the church, tourist visits were not possible on Sunday. On Saturday evening, the police had already searched the cathedral with sniffer dogs, but said they found nothing unusual.

The police also increased security measures in Vienna. In Austria, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution arrested four people on Saturday while investigating an Islamist network. Interviews with the suspects and corresponding evaluations are currently underway, the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence in the Austrian Interior Ministry said in response to a dpa request. For tactical reasons, further details cannot be given at the moment. A spokesman for the Austrian Interior Ministry said there was “no immediate risk of an attack in Vienna.”

Police officers patrol in front of the entrance to Cologne Cathedral on Sunday

Source: dpa/Roberto Pfeil

According to information from WELT, there was also an arrest in Saarland. The man has long been known to the authorities as an extremist, reported ARD. However, the indications of his possible involvement in a crime are vague. The authorities would have to decide by midnight on Sunday whether they would apply for an arrest warrant against the man. The Federal Prosecutor General is also involved in the matter, but is skeptical because of the thin nature of the matter, according to investigative circles.

According to “Bild”, the suspects arrested in Austria and Germany are said to be Tajiks. According to the newspaper, security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain received indications that an Islamist extremist cell might want to carry out several attacks in Europe on New Year’s Eve or Christmas. In addition to Cologne, the goals could also be Christmas services in Vienna and Madrid.

According to WELT information, the terrorist group is Islamist fundamentalists from the ISPK (Islamic State Khorasan Province). Cologne police spokesman Wolfgang Baldes said on Sunday: “We received a tip-off about a dangerous situation around Cologne Cathedral, possibly also for Cologne Cathedral, which referred to New Year’s Eve.” He did not want to comment on who had given the tip-off .

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At the same time, the Cologne police made it clear that the increased security measures at the cathedral would continue for some time. “We now have to see how quickly we can actually get this information verified. It is certain that as long as a dangerous situation cannot be ruled out, we will of course continue to take these measures,” said Baldes. The police still have very busy days ahead.

The police called on churchgoers to arrive early and not to bring any bags into the cathedral so that the checks would not take an unnecessarily long time. There are many officials on site who “actually had Christmas Eve off,” said Baldes. “But this is about the safety of the people in Cologne.”

ISPK is said to have planned attacks “in the spirit of IS”.

The ISPK was founded in 2014. The “Khorasan Province” in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan developed into a refuge for jihadists from Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also for Islamists from the Caucasus. The ISPK is enemies with the Taliban because, in the eyes of the ISPK, the Taliban cooperate with the West. It was only in the summer that the security authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia had seven suspected terrorists arrested. The men are said to have planned “high-profile attacks in the spirit of IS” in Germany and spied out possible targets. The group is also said to have already tried to obtain weapons.

When presenting the report for the protection of the constitution, the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Thomas Haldenwang, had already warned about the group.

Security authorities have been talking about increased “noise” for several months. It is said that the ISPK could send fighters to Germany. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is playing into the hands of the terrorists. People from countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan could be mixed in with the migrants. The ISPK wants to challenge its parent organization, the IS in Syria and Iraq, for the leadership role, it is said in security circles.

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Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) emphasized that the reaction to the possible attack plan shows how seriously the security authorities take such dangers. “We all love our Christmas traditions and will not allow ourselves to be intimidated or restricted in our way of life,” said the politician from the Funke media group. “But the same applies: We take the Islamist terrorist threat very seriously and are extremely vigilant.”

The security authorities have the Islamist scene in their sights and are acting consistently. “The current measures also show this.” The federal and state governments are using all police and intelligence resources to identify dangers early and follow up on every tip-off, said Faeser.

Increased protective measures also apply in Austria

The security authorities in Austria have also increased their protective measures. Also due to a current risk assessment by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, there is generally an increased risk situation during the Christmas holidays, said the Police in Vienna on Saturday with. As a precautionary measure, there will be increased surveillance of endangered places in Vienna and the federal states, including churches and Christmas markets.

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Secret service investigations

Civilian and uniformed forces with special equipment and rifles will therefore be deployed. “Police attention is focused primarily on churches and religious events, especially church services, and on Christmas markets,” the police continued.

2023-12-25 01:23:41
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