Five Individuals Arrested in Connection with Suspected Christmas Market Plot
German law enforcement has arrested five individuals suspected of planning a vehicle-based attack at a Christmas market. The arrests occurred on Friday.
The detainees include three Moroccan nationals, one Egyptian national, and one Syrian national. They are suspected of targeting a market in the southern Bavarian state. Authorities have indicated a suspected Islamist motive behind the alleged plot.
Prosecutors stated that the 56-year-old Egyptian national is alleged to have encouraged a vehicle attack, with the intention of causing casualties. The Moroccan nationals are alleged to have agreed to execute the attack.
German security services have maintained an elevated alert status following previous incidents at Christmas markets, including one in Magdeburg in December that resulted in six fatalities.