Suspected Islamist Arrested for Plotting Attack on Bundeswehr Troops in Bavaria

A 27-year-old Syrian man has been arrested for allegedly planning an attack on Bundeswehr troops in Upper Franconia, Bavaria.

Plot to Kill Soldiers with Machetes

According to investigators, the suspect had purchased two machetes with the intention of killing as many soldiers as possible during their lunch break in the city center of Hof. The public prosecutor’s office stated that the suspect had already acquired the necessary weapons.

Radical Islamic Ideology Suspected

The investigators believe that the suspect supports a radical Islamic ideology and aimed to destabilize the population and cause an uproar through the attack. He is suspected of preparing a serious act of violence that would endanger the state.

Witness Tips Led to Arrest

Bavarian Minister of the Interior, Joachim Herrmann, announced that tips from witnesses led the police to the suspect. The witness report from the alleged offender’s environment was received by the police on Wednesday.

Investigation Ongoing

The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses the suspect of preparing a serious crime that endangers the state. The connections, environment, and criminal history of the accused are still being investigated.

Suspect’s Background

The suspect entered Germany as a refugee on October 17, 2014, and has a residence permit based on supplementary protection, valid until December 11, 2025. He was renting a flat in the Hof area.

No Previous Convictions

The public prosecutor’s office stated that the suspect had no previous convictions. However, District Administrator Oliver Bär mentioned that the accused had committed a crime and was imprisoned in the past.

Arrest and Investigation

The suspect was arrested by police officers in the Hof region on Thursday, and an investigating judge issued an arrest warrant on Friday morning. The suspect is currently in custody, and the Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism continues to investigate the case.

Upper Franconian Barracks

The Upper Franconian barracks, where 550 soldiers are stationed, is located in Hof. Part of the barracks is the Bundeswehr’s Central Research Center for Technical Reconnaissance.

Recent Similar Incident

Just a week ago, an 18-year-old Austrian with Bosnian roots planned an attack in Munich and fired several shots at the Consulate General of Israel. He was killed in a shootout with the police, and researchers suspect an Islamic motive.