'Three Syrian men have been arrested in Germany on suspicion of being
sent by so-called Islamic State to launch attacks, prosecutors say.
The men - aged 17, 18 and 26 - were detained after a series of raids in the
states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony on Tuesday morning.
No concrete missions or orders had so far been found, federal prosecutors
said.
However, police are reported to have seized "extensive material"
In a statement, it said investigations so far suggested the three had come to
Germany in November 2015 with the intention of "carrying out a previously
determined order [from IS] or to await further instructions".
They are said to have travelled through Turkey and Greece on false passports.
Investigators believe the men had volunteered for the alleged mission - and
that the 17-year-old had been trained in handling weapons and explosives.
They were arrested when 200 police and security officers raided several
premises including three refugee shelters.
Germany is on edge after two asylum seekers carried out what are thought to
have been the first IS-inspired terror attacks in the country earlier this year,
says the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin.
The arrests are likely to be welcomed by ministers who are trying to reassure
Germans that they can keep the country safe, she adds...'
BBC:
sent by so-called Islamic State to launch attacks, prosecutors say.
The men - aged 17, 18 and 26 - were detained after a series of raids in the
states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony on Tuesday morning.
No concrete missions or orders had so far been found, federal prosecutors
said.
However, police are reported to have seized "extensive material"
In a statement, it said investigations so far suggested the three had come to
Germany in November 2015 with the intention of "carrying out a previously
determined order [from IS] or to await further instructions".
They are said to have travelled through Turkey and Greece on false passports.
Investigators believe the men had volunteered for the alleged mission - and
that the 17-year-old had been trained in handling weapons and explosives.
They were arrested when 200 police and security officers raided several
premises including three refugee shelters.
Germany is on edge after two asylum seekers carried out what are thought to
have been the first IS-inspired terror attacks in the country earlier this year,
says the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin.
The arrests are likely to be welcomed by ministers who are trying to reassure
Germans that they can keep the country safe, she adds...'
BBC:
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.