(Berlin) A 32-year-old Iranian, suspected of preparing an “Islamist” attack using cyanide and ricin, was arrested in western Germany, the police and the general prosecutor’s office in Düsseldorf announced on Sunday. .
His accommodation in Castrop-Rauxel (North Rhine-Westphalia) was searched for possible “toxic substances” intended to commit an attack, according to a press release from the general prosecutor’s office and the Münster police.
The Iranian is “suspected of having prepared a serious act of violence threatening state security by obtaining cyanide and ricin with a view to committing an Islamist attack”, specify the investigators, adding that a Another person had also been arrested during the operation and taken into custody.
The main suspect should be presented in the coming days to an investigating judge with a view to his possible placement in pre-trial detention, adds the prosecution.
According to the daily Picturethe German authorities were reportedly warned several days ago by a foreign intelligence service of the threat of a “chemical bomb” attack.
Germany has been targeted in recent years by several Islamist attacks, including a ram truck attack on a Christmas market in December 2016 that left 13 dead.