Cologne: After the terrorist alarm: carnival fair in the cathedral without sabers

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Cologne
After the terrorist alarm: carnival fair in the cathedral without sabers

Since the terrorist alarm in December, security precautions have been maintained in and around Cologne Cathedral. photo

© Oliver Berg/dpa

Safety comes first: Sabers as part of the guard uniform are not allowed into the cathedral this year. The carnival participants can still collect their blessing for the session.

Because of the one that has been in effect since Christmas Terror alarms for Cologne Cathedral mean that carnivalists are not allowed to wear sabers in the traditional service at the start of the carnival season. The sabers are usually part of the guards’ uniforms. It was also agreed with the carnival societies that flags could only be waved inside the cathedral, the police said. The cathedral will remain closed to tourists due to the danger. Shortly before Christmas, the security authorities received information that Islamists wanted to carry out an attack in the area around the cathedral on New Year’s Eve.

The investigation continues

“It’s a picture that none of us wants when emergency services search visitors to Christian masses,” said the head of the Cologne police’s security department, Martin Lotz. However, security precautions to protect people and the cathedral would be maintained as long as necessary. It is not yet possible to predict when a return to normality will be possible. Further investigation will be carried out at high speed.

Two suspects who were arrested on Christmas Eve in Wesel and on New Year’s Eve in Nörvenich in the Düren district are said to remain in police custody on a court order.

dpa

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