Cologne Cathedral is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Germany and the largest Gothic church in Europe. Every year during Christmas and New Year's, the church attracts more than 100,000 visitors to visit and pray. However, on December 31, 2023, Germany** discovered a terrorist attack plan against Cologne Cathedral and successfully arrested 3 suspects.
According to German TV news on the 24th, the German security department learned that Islam *** may carry out terrorist attacks in many places in Europe on Chinese New Year's Eve. One of the targets is the Cologne Cathedral. The suspects are located in Austria, Spain and Germany. They are associated with the terrorist organization ISPK. This is the regional branch of the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan. This information came from foreign intelligence agencies.
* Immediately open an investigation into the suspect. A man in the German state of Saarland was targeted by the authorities. West Deutsche Rundfunk reported on Wednesday that after a planned attack on Cologne Cathedral for Christmas or Chinese New Year's Eve, Cologne Cathedral was inspected immediately on Christmas Eve and no bombs were found. **An apartment in the Lower Rhine city was also searched and five men were detained, four of whom have since been released. A 30-year-old Tajik man will be detained until January 7 to "avoid danger". *Announced, there is information about him related to ***.
Cologne police chief Frank Wiesbaum said at a press conference on the same day that the three suspects planned to use a car to attack Cologne Cathedral, and it was not clear what their plan was, but ** had searched an underground parking lot of the cathedral overnight with sniffer dogs. Wiesbaum said the three suspects were familiar figures with ties to Islamic extremism but not to any known terrorist group. He also said that no **object or ** was found, but that their motives and purposes were still being investigated.
Cologne** previously received a tip that ISPK, the Afghan branch of the extremist group Islamic State, may carry out an attack on Chinese New Year's Eve. This threat, linked to the terrorist attack on Israel by the Islamic militant group Hamas on October 7 and the Israeli military response, has injected new impetus into Islamism. The world is experiencing a third wave following the Al-Qaida attacks of 11 September 2001 and the rise of the Islamic State, and the war continues to fuel hatred in Germany.
In order to protect the people, the cathedral and the upcoming Chinese New Year's Eve celebrations, ** security measures have been strengthened. For safety reasons, the church is closed to visitors. As at Christmas, people can still enter the cathedral for Mass or penance, but they must be checked by the police to enter the church. No bags were allowed to enter, and police dogs were used to search the cathedral. Special attention is paid to churches, religious gatherings, and Christmas markets. In addition, one can expect the appearance of police patrolling the streets with guns.
Germany** has expressed concern about possible terrorist attack plans. The Southern Express, published by Konstanz, believes that the more the pressure on the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip is due to Israel's counterattack, the more prepared its helpers in Europe will be to attack. Germany is a focal point because it is closely united with Israel. So far, synagogues and Jewish institutions in Germany have been particularly considered threatened. But that is changing. The upcoming Chinese New Year's Eve does not bode well, especially in big cities. Palestinian sympathizers in Hamas may unleash their hatred in the midst of mass riots.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, attendance at Mass at Cologne Cathedral during Christmas is subject to security checks due to evidence of premeditated terrorist attacks in Islamic circles. So far, nothing has happened. The terrorist attack plan was aimed at Chinese New Year's Eve. This is a disturbing signal that Germany remains the target of terrorism. Germany must remain vigilant, but at the same time stand up to its values and way of life, and not allow fear and hatred to prevail.