Arrest in Germany

Libyan planned attack on Israeli embassy

An attack with firearms on the Israeli embassy in Germany has apparently been foiled. A suspected supporter of the Islamic State terrorist organization was arrested in Bernau near Berlin.

The Libyan Omar A. had been planning to carry out "a high-profile attack with firearms on the Israeli embassy in Berlin" since October 2024 at the latest, according to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe. The accused exchanged information about the plan with a member of IS in a messenger chat.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in Berlin confirmed to the German Press Agency that there had been a plan to attack the diplomatic mission. Ambassador Ron Prosor thanked the German security authorities "for ensuring the security of our embassy". The accused's apartment in Bernau near Berlin was searched, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office told dpa. In the Rhein-Sieg district in North Rhine-Westphalia, emergency services searched the home of a person not suspected of the crime.

Crucial tip-off from foreign secret services
According to a report in "Bild", the German authorities had targeted the Libyan following a specific tip-off from foreign intelligence services. There had been indications that the suspect wanted to flee to his uncle in Sankt Augustin after the attack and then flee abroad.

Asylum rejected but not yet deported
The arrested man will be brought before an investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on Sunday. The judge must then decide whether pre-trial detention will be imposed. According to reports, the man should have already been deported following a negative asylum decision.