Cologne Cathedral under heavy security
In Germany, the famed Cologne Cathedral is under heavy security based on indications it may be the target of an Islamic terror attack. Cathedrals and houses of worship are also receiving extra security in Austria and Spain due to fears of attacks by Muslim terrorists over the Christmas-New Year holidays.
The below article from Nuernberg Nachricten is translated by Fousesquawk.
Clues received
Terror danger during Christmas at Cologne Cathedral? Heightened vigilance and sniffer dogs
By dpa (Deutsche Presse-Agentur) and Isabel Pogner December 23, 2023 at 21:35
Cologne- The police have received indications of danger at the Cologne Cathedral and other Christian objects. For this reason, over the holidays, there are heightened security measures there.
Visitors to religious services at the Cologne Cathedral and tourists will have to deal with heightened security rules in the coming days, dpa reports. Due to an indication of danger, the police will take special protective measures, the Cologne police reported on Saturday evening. State Security, which is involved in politically motivated crimes, has begun an investigation.
"Even if the (information) concerns New Year's Eve, we will take everything into account this evening for the security of cathedral visitors on Christmas Eve. In coordination with the security official of the Cathedral chapter, after the evening mass, the cathedral will be searched by sniffer dogs and then closed," said the chief of Cologne Police, Michael Esser. On Christmas Eve, all visitors will be subject to search upon entry to the house of worship.
"Bild" reports: Austria, Germany, and Spain have received indications that an Islamist terror cell possibly intends to carry out several attacks in Europe on New Year's Eve or Christmas. Der Spiegel also talks of, "indications of possible attack plans by Islamists in Europe, and further writes, "In this connection, there were also reports from security circles over the weekend of a house search in Germany."
Vienna police have also issued a press release and explain: "Based on a current danger assessment by the Office of Protection of the Constitution (security police), as well as continuing increased terror warnings, there is generally a heightened threat in Austria during the Christmas holidays. "There are calls for attacks upon Christian events around Christmas. For this reason, there will be heightened security measures in Austria, such as entrance controls to the churches and more security personnel at the Christmas markets".
*Update (12-25-23). Police in Austria have arrested two men and one woman (not further identified) as part of this investigation.
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