German Authorities Arrest Two Suspects Planning Attack on Sweden’s Parliament
BERLIN — In a dramatic turn of events, German authorities have apprehended two individuals accused of plotting a firearms attack on Sweden’s parliament, as confirmed by the Office of the German Federal Prosecutor.
The suspects, identified as Afghan citizens, were taken into custody near the city of Gera in Thuringia, central Germany, on suspicion of terrorism, according to the statement released.
Germany’s Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, revealed that one of the arrested individuals is believed to be a member of the terror group Daesh (IS), while the other is suspected of providing support.
Allegedly, the suspects were provided with instructions for the planned attack by a Daesh branch in the summer of 2023, with the motive believed to be linked to the Qur’an burnings that occurred in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries during that period.
Targets of the attack reportedly included police officers, and the suspects had taken concrete steps to procure weapons and familiarize themselves with the local conditions in Stockholm, where the attack was intended to take place.
Furthermore, investigators revealed that both individuals had collected donations totaling around 2,000 Euros (approximately $2,170) to send to Daesh.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before Germany’s Federal Court of Justice for the issuance of arrest warrants and decisions regarding pre-trial detention, as announced by the German federal prosecutor.
Minister Faeser emphasized the ongoing vigilance of Germany in combating Islamist threats, stating, “The threat of Islamist terrorism remains acute, and our security authorities are dedicated to preventing such attacks.”
“Islamist terrorism remains a top priority for our security agencies,” she added. — CNN
