A suspected Isis terror plot at the Euro 2024 final was scuppered thanks to a series of police raids in Germany mere hours before kick-off, it has emerged.
Authorities descended on a set of addresses just outside Berlin after fears were raised over an attack on a fan zone in the capital’s Breitscheidplatz square – where swathes of fans had gathered to watch the tournament come to a close.
German special forces had been on the hunt for five alleged Isis supporters after becoming aware of plans to target the square – and following co-ordinated raids on a number of properties in Potsdam, cops detained three men.
The five suspects are understood to have already been under police surveillance when officers swooped in.
Police raids scuppered the attack on a fan zone
Reuters
A Berlin Police spokesperson confirmed to the Sun: “The homes of three men were searched at three addresses in Potsdam.
“Forces from the special task forces were involved in the operation.
“The measures were carried out in connection with an immediate threat from the Islamist spectrum.”
The thwarted attack was one of a number of successful police raids during the tournament; at the end of June, an Iraqi national suspected of plotting to carry out attacks as an “Isis sleeper agent” was detained just minutes from another match venue in Stuttgart.
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The thwarted attack was one of a number of successful police raids during the tournament
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In a joint raid by officers from national, state and local police, cops had detained the Iraqi national and brought him before a judge from Germany’s Federal Court of Justice, who ordered he be remanded in custody.
Reacting to that arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said it provided proof of just how strongly authorities were cracking down on Islamist security concerns.
Faeser added: “Our security authorities are extremely vigilant, follow every lead and take tough action to protect our country against Islamist threats.”
Fears had been raised ahead of the tournament that terrorist groups could look to target football matche, with Faeser warning of a “new level” of danger in the wake of the Crocus City Hall attacks in Moscow.
England fans descended on Breitscheidplatz ahead of the Euro 2024 final
Reuters
And authorities will doubtless be on high alert once more in neighbouring France, where the Paris Olympics are set to begin in just five days’ time.
Olivier Guitta, a geopolitical risk, terrorism and security expert, told the Athletic that “jihadists” would be looking to target one of the Olympics and European Championship – adding to the news that the Paris opening ceremony, slated to take place on the city’s River Seine, has already been scaled back for security reasons.
A senior French interior ministry official said French President Emmanuel Macron had demanded halving the number of spectators from 600,000 following crowd control and security concerns, according to Politico.
The official said the “main threat” to the Games was “Islamist terrorism” – but conceded French intelligence had not yet identified specific plots, and groups like Isis and Al-Qaeda did not have the financial capacity to carry out attacks in France.