German authorities have arrested five men suspected of planning an Islamist-motivated attack on a Christmas market in southern Germany, the Munich public prosecutor’s office announced.
The suspected target was a Christmas market in the Dingolfing area of Bavaria, though officials have not named the exact location. Four of the men are under formal arrest warrants, while a fifth has been placed in preventative custody.
Investigators believe the Islamist-inspired attack involved using a car. The suspects include an Egyptian, a Syrian and three Moroccan nationals.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said fast cooperation between security services helped prevent a possible atrocity.
On Friday, December 12th a knife attack occurred at a Christmas market in Herford, which left a 16-year-old boy fighting for his life. Security at Christmas markets remains high across Germany following several deadly incidents.
