German authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of preparing a major violent act, possibly targeting Christmas markets in Frankfurt or Mannheim. The suspects, including two German-Lebanese brothers aged 15 and 20, and a 22-year-old German-Turkish man, were apprehended on Sunday after police raided their homes. Authorities seized an assault rifle, ammunition, knives, and other items during the searches.
The arrested individuals were reportedly planning an attack with links to Islamist extremism, with the two brothers expressing strong support for the Islamic State (IS) group. However, law enforcement stressed that there was no immediate danger to the public, as the attack was thwarted before being carried out.
Germany has been on high alert following the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, especially after Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel. Over the past few years, Germany has faced several Islamist-motivated attacks, including a stabbing spree in Solingen in August, where three people were killed, and a police officer was murdered in Mannheim in June.
Hessen state Interior Minister Roman Poseck commended the swift action of law enforcement in preventing a possible attack, emphasizing that the security situation remains tense. The suspects are currently in pre-trial detention as the investigation continues.
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