A 37-year-old Iraqi asylum seeker has been arrested in Augsburg, Germany, for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on the city’s popular Christmas market, local police confirmed.
Authorities acted after discovering evidence that the suspect, named as Ali Al-G, had scouted the market and engaged with Islamic State (IS) operatives online. The arrest has highlighted ongoing security concerns surrounding Christmas markets across Germany, which have been targets for Islamist terrorism in recent years.
Die Welt reports that Ali Al-G was detained on Wednesday evening at an asylum seekers’ residence in Augsburg. Police cited a warrant issued by the Augsburg District Court to secure his deportation under Section 58a of Germany’s Residence Act, a rarely invoked measure for individuals deemed an imminent security threat. According to law enforcement, Al-G had taken photographs of Augsburg’s Christkindlesmarkt and discussed using a vehicle to ram into the crowd, a method reminiscent of previous IS-inspired attacks in Europe.
Investigators revealed that Al-G had a history of posting pro-IS content on social media, including videos glorifying suicide bombings and executions. These activities first came to the attention of German authorities through a foreign intelligence agency. The suspect reportedly maintained contact with IS members and openly supported jihadist ideology in online forums.
This incident is the latest in a series of thwarted plots targeting Germany’s Christmas markets, which are particularly vulnerable to attacks. Last month, a 17-year-old male of Turkish descent was arrested in Elmshorn, Schleswig-Holstein, on suspicion of planning a truck attack on a local market. In November 2023, another Iraqi national was detained in Hanover after authorities discovered plans for a similar assault. Two teenagers were also apprehended last year for conspiring to execute an attack in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, using a fuel-laden truck.
Authorities have been on heightened alert following the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack that claimed 12 lives. German security agencies continue to collaborate with international counterparts to intercept communications and pre-empt attacks. Despite these efforts, concerns about the influence of extremist groups in the digital space persist, particularly among younger individuals.
In response to rising threats, German cities have ramped up security measures at Christmas markets. These include installing mobile terror barriers, increasing police presence, and advocating for enhanced video surveillance despite privacy concerns. Neighbouring European countries have also implemented robust counter-terrorism strategies, with France deploying drones and additional patrols and Belgium maintaining its elevated terror threat level.
The Augsburg arrest underscores the enduring threat of “lone wolf” attacks, a tactic frequently employed by IS sympathisers. As Germany prepares for its festive season, officials have urged vigilance while reassuring the public of the comprehensive measures in place to ensure safety.
