Three Suspected Hamas Members Are Held in Germany
Atakan Mert ÖZTÜRK tarafındanThe German authorities held three suspected members of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on suspicion of conspiring to attack Israeli or Jewish targets in Germany. The arrest happened as security is boosted around Jewish centers across the nation.
Arrest and Investigation Process
The suspects appeared before a judge investigating in Karlsruhe, where they were served with official arrest warrants. They were to be brought into prison ahead of trial, which is expected to run several months while the investigation continues. The men had been under surveillance from the summer by German prosecutors, who said that they were suspected of acquiring weapons. Police uncovered an AK-47 rifle, a Glock handgun, and amounts of ammunition in a raid.
Suspects: Abed Al G., German citizen Wael F. M., born in Lebanon Ahmad I., German citizen
Hamas' Statement and International Context
Hamas denied involvement with the suspects, describing the accusations as unfounded and aimed at "undermine the German people's sympathy with our Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle against the Zionist occupation." The group emphasized that all of its armed resistance has only been carried out within Israel and Palestinian territory, where it has carried out hundreds of attacks against Israeli civilians, but not nearly so frequently outside.
Background
The suspects were arrested just before the second anniversary of Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, prompting the German authorities to tighten security around Jewish centers. The European Union, the US, and other countries have designated Hamas as a terror organization. The last few years have seen Germany increase protective measures around Jewish centers after there was a rise in antisemitic activities.
https://apnews.com/article/germany-hamas-plot-israel-arrests-51a1e0049b2f421462f53286eb62cdf9
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