Police in North Rhine-Westphalia have taken three more suspects into custody in connection with possible plans to attack Cologne Cathedral. They are said to belong to the network of a man who was arrested on Christmas Eve.
After new information from the authorities about possible Islamist plans to attack Cologne Cathedral, the police in North Rhine-Westphalia have taken three more people into custody. Police representatives announced this at a short-term press conference late on Sunday afternoon in Cologne. The information from the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Intelligence Service reached the police in Cologne late on Saturday evening, who then initiated further investigations, security measures and further steps.
According to Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns, the three people now taken into custody were in connection with a 30-year-old Tajik who was arrested in Wesel on Christmas Eve and has been in permanent custody ever since.
The attacks took place in Duisburg, Herne and in Nörvenich in the Düren district, where apartments were also searched and communications equipment confiscated. The network, directed by people from Central Asia, is intended to extend to several federal states and other European countries.
Means of crime: car
The attack was apparently carried out using a car. “We don’t know how the car should be used,” explained operations manager Frank Wißbaum.
The underground car park under the cathedral was searched during the night in light of the new information. Explosive detection dogs were also used. But nothing was found that would indicate an attack. Entrance and exit to the underground car park have been checked since early morning.
The police cannot currently say how specific the attack plan was and what exactly was planned. “As soon as we have information, we take it seriously and follow up on every lead,” emphasized Wißbaum.
NRW Interior Minister thanks investigators
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul thanked the investigators. Islamist extremists have always been active, but are currently more active than usual. “The police always try to be a few steps ahead.” There is never absolute security. However, Reul emphasized that Cologne residents could go to church services or celebrate. The end-of-year service with Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki is planned for 6:30 p.m. in the cathedral.
The Cologne police had already significantly increased security measures around Cologne Cathedral in advance. Among other things, officers with submachine guns patrol around the church. That evening, around 1,000 officers were on duty in the area around the cathedral and the city center alone, according to the police.
Jochen Hilgers, WDR, tagesschau, December 31, 2023 6:11 p.m