Five men have been arrested in Germany suspected of being involved in a plot to drive a vehicle into people at a Christmas market. Three Moroccans, an Egyptian, and a Syrian were detained on Friday over the plan to target a market in the southern Bavarian state. Authorities said they suspected an 'Islamist motive'. Prosecutors alleged that the 56-year-old Egyptian called for a vehicle attack aimed at causing maximum casualties, with the Moroccans allegedly agreeing to carry it out.
German authorities have ramped up vigilance following previous attacks at Christmas markets, including one in Magdeburg last December that resulted in six deaths. While they did not specify the timeframe for the planned attack, officials indicated that the target was believed to be in the Dingolfing-Landau area, northeast of Munich. Reports suggest that the Egyptian suspect served as an imam at a local mosque. The Moroccan men, aged 30, 28, and 22, stand accused of conspiracy to commit murder, while the 37-year-old Syrian is alleged to have encouraged them.
The five suspects have appeared before a magistrate and remain in custody as investigations continue. Bavaria's interior minister commended the collaboration among security services, which he credited with averting a potential Islamist-motivated attack. Christmas markets in Germany are a cherished tradition, attracting large crowds and boosting tourism, prompting heightened security protocols in light of past incidents, including the Berlin attack in 2016.
German authorities have ramped up vigilance following previous attacks at Christmas markets, including one in Magdeburg last December that resulted in six deaths. While they did not specify the timeframe for the planned attack, officials indicated that the target was believed to be in the Dingolfing-Landau area, northeast of Munich. Reports suggest that the Egyptian suspect served as an imam at a local mosque. The Moroccan men, aged 30, 28, and 22, stand accused of conspiracy to commit murder, while the 37-year-old Syrian is alleged to have encouraged them.
The five suspects have appeared before a magistrate and remain in custody as investigations continue. Bavaria's interior minister commended the collaboration among security services, which he credited with averting a potential Islamist-motivated attack. Christmas markets in Germany are a cherished tradition, attracting large crowds and boosting tourism, prompting heightened security protocols in light of past incidents, including the Berlin attack in 2016.
