A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack at a Christmas market in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
The suspect, a German national of Turkish descent, is accused of intending to carry out a deadly attack using a truck in Elmshorn. This plan was uncovered through intercepted communications and messages.
The investigation indicates an Islamist motive behind the alleged attack.
U.S. intelligence first tipped off German authorities about the planned assault in the spring of 2024, prompting an investigation by the Federal Criminal Police Office. By March, the Flensburg public prosecutor’s office had taken over the case.
“I can confirm that we are conducting an investigation on suspicion of preparing a serious act of violence threatening the state, and conspiracy to commit a crime, namely murder. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the 17-year-old suspect,” said senior prosecutor Bernd Winterfeldt.
The suspect is currently being held in Schleswig prison.
