Cologne: Suspected target stop with Biobomb planned

The BKA has investigated the poison found in a suspect in Cologne. The man now arrested should have built a biological explosive device.

Cologne: Suspected target stop with Biobomb planned

According to Federal Criminal Office (BKA), Tunisians arrested in Cologne had planned an attack. There have been concrete preparations for construction of a Biobomb, said BKA president Holger Münch to RBB Inforadio. This is a unique process in Germany.

According to federal prosecutor's office, man in his apartment had produced highly toxic ricin, a toxin that can be obtained from castor seeds. During planning, suspect was oriented towards building instructions from Internet – obviously "also from Islamist organizations", said Münch. What Tatziel 29-year-old has planned, however, is not known yet.

According to President of constitutional protection, Hans-Georg Maaßen, man "very likely" planned a terrorist attack. According to this, suspect must have ordered much more than 1,000 castor seeds that had become known at first. There were indications of an even greater quantity, a spokesman of federal prosecutor's office shared.

"The ' Islamic State ' is very weakened"

In this case, Münch praised cooperation of security authorities – both nationally and internationally. The Federal Office for Protection of Constitution had received information from a foreign partner service. Policemen took man to his apartment on Tuesday last week. He is now in custody for violating War Weapons Control Act.

The BKA continues to take care of high number of radicalized individuals, Münch said. "The big planned attack, as we have seen in Paris and Brussels, we now think is less likely." This was mainly due to fact that so-called "Islamic State" was very weakened. Currently, 770 people are classified as endangered by German authorities.

Date Of Update: 20 June 2018, 12:02