Germany: Five Arrested Over Suspected Christmas Market Attack Plot

Arrests Made in Connection with Suspected Christmas Market Attack Plan

German authorities have apprehended five individuals suspected of planning a vehicle attack at a Christmas market. The arrests took place on Friday.

The five men include three Moroccan nationals, one Egyptian national, and one Syrian national. They were detained in connection with a suspected plan to target a Christmas market located in the southern Bavarian state.

Authorities have indicated that the suspected motive for the alleged plot is Islamist in nature.

Prosecutors have provided further details regarding the allegations:

• The 56-year-old Egyptian national is alleged to have called for a vehicle attack. The stated aim of this proposed attack was to cause fatalities or injuries to a significant number of people.
• The Moroccan nationals are alleged to have consented to carry out this attack.

These arrests occur during a period of heightened security awareness in Germany. This follows previous incidents at Christmas markets, including an attack in Magdeburg last December that resulted in six fatalities.