2023-12-26 08:23:45
Germany warns of the high risk of attacks in Europe. The security authorities of Austria, Germany and Spain have received indications that an Islamic terrorist cell may want to attack in Europe on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, according to the German newspaper ‘Bild’.
A confidential document from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), to which the German newspaper has access, speaks of a sharp increase in the hatred of Islamists towards “the entire West.”
Spain would be in the focus of possible attacks. According to the German newspaper, among the objectives would be religious buildings and Christmas celebrations in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid.
The Austrian Police have arrested four people for their alleged links to an Islamist network. However, a spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office confirms that there are no specific plans for attacks in the city.
“Due to the current threat assessment by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the still high level of terrorist alert, there is generally an increased risk in Austria during the Christmas holidays,” stated the management of the Austrian Police. Vienna.
Germany and Austria increase measures for fear of attacks
Churches, religious events and Christmas markets are at the center of security measures. Germany and Austria have increased their surveillance measures due to suspicions and fear of possible attacks, after movements that would point to potential attacks have been detected.
In Cologne, the Police have searched the cathedral with dogs trained to search for explosives and also plan to search all the faithful and visitors who want to access the temple. In addition, there will be a police presence in the surrounding area.
Cologne Police spokesperson Wolfgang Baldes explains that the authorities have received “a leak about a dangerous situation around the Cologne Cathedral, possibly also for the cathedral itself, related to New Year’s Eve.”
“We all love our Christmas traditions and will not allow ourselves to be intimidated or restrict our way of life, but it is no less true that we take the threat of Islamist terrorism very seriously and are extremely vigilant,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
The fear of possible terrorist activities, linked in principle to the Islamic State Khorasan Province, also extends to Vienna, where the Police have confirmed a greater deployment of armed police and plainclothes police. “The attention of the Police will focus mainly on churches and religious events (…) and on Christmas markets,” they indicated.
Spain, on terrorist alert 4
The classification provided for in the Anti-Terrorism Prevention, Protection and Response Plan has five levels and Spain is currently at level 4, which represents a high risk.
The measures of the Plan will be mainly aimed at the protection of facilities, networks, systems, physical equipment and information technology on which the operation of essential services rests. Also from public or official centers and organizations, attacks that cause significant damage according to the weighted assessment of the following criteria: damage to human life, violation of fundamental rights, impact on the normal functioning of institutions or strategic sectors, impact to public order or coexistence, environmental damage, public, social or symbolic impact, economic or property losses and loss or theft of information in areas of special interest.
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