State security investigators last Wednesday arrested a 17-year-old in Elmshorn, Germany, who was planning to carry out a terrorist attack on Christmas Day.
Police reported that the 17-year-old wanted to drive a lorry into a Christmas market and deliberately kill people. This information was obtained by the intelligence services from intercepted conversations and read messages. The Islamist origin of the foiled terrorist attack is assumed.
Chief prosecutor Bernd Winterfeldt told the Bild newspaper:
“I can confirm that we are investigating on suspicion of preparing a serious act of violence threatening the state and conspiracy to commit an offence, namely murder. An arrest warrant has been issued for the 17-year-old suspect.”
German authorities reportedly received a tip-off from US intelligence agencies back in the spring. The Flensburg prosecutor’s office took control of the investigation in March.
