Germany

Explosives found in German apartment ‘linked to right-wing terrorists’

In western Germany a large quantity of explosives was found in possession of persons connected with the far right. The German authorities suspect they were planning an attack on refugee centers and mosques. -Vasilis Chronopoulos  The prosecutor’s office in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate is investigating whether two men arrested last month for storing large amounts of explosives were […]

Merkel: No ‘eternal guarantee’ for United States cooperation with EU

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it would be “naive” of the European Union to rely on US support for solving problems in “our neighborhood.” She proposed instead more cooperation between members of the EU in security issues and the others challenges that Europe faces. -Vasilis Chronopoulos  As concern grows in Europe about US President-elect Donald Trump’s […]

Experts warn of election cyberattacks threat in Germany

Concerns are raised in Germany about the safety of the cyber infrastructure, as election day comes closer. Vasilis Chronopoulos “You can crack everything,” says Sandro Gaycken, a security consultant for government institutions and businesses. “Above all, the hardware and software used by German parties is not as well-protected as the high-security CIA computers.” As the […]

Germany sets out tougher post-attack security measures

Among  the new measures that will be implemented by the Germans, is a tougher stance on asylum seekers whose request for asulym have been rejected, they could be imprisoned for up to eighteen months while they await deportation.  Right now the incarceration of asylum seekers is only allowed if deportation is likely within three months […]

U.S. tanks roll into Germany to bolster NATO deterrent against possible Russian aggression

This deployment is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. One armored brigade combat team, on a nine month deployment basis, will be stationed in Eastern Europe. The objective of the operation is to bolster the defenses of the Eastern European NATO members against any aggression -Vasilis Chronopoulos.   BERLIN — Ships began unloading U.S. tanks, self-propelled howitzers and hundreds […]

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel calls for ban on Islamist mosques

In an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said that “Salafist mosques must be banned, communities dissolved, and the preachers should be expelled as soon as possible.” “Those who encourage violence do not enjoy the protection of religious freedom,” the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) added, stressing that he had […]

Berlin attacker had 14 aliases, was subject of repeated counterterror briefings

BERLIN — The Tunisian man who plowed a truck into a Berlin Christmas market had lived under 14 aliases and was so well known to German officials that a key counterterrorism committee had discussed his case seven times, suggesting the scale of the missed opportunities to thwart the Dec. 19 attack. The fresh details about Anis Amri […]

Berlin police detain Anis Amri contact, seen as radical Salafist, on fraud charges

The German authorities continue their investigation for accomplishes of  Anis Amri on the Berlin Christmas attack. They have arested a man that they suspect he knew of Amri’s plan -Vasilis Chronopoulos A spokeswoman for the office of Germany’s chief prosecutor on Wednesday said authorities have taken a second Tunisian suspect into custody following raids in Berlin on […]

Police raid Berlin homes linked to market attacker Anis Amri

German police continues the search for possible accomplices of the Berlin market attacker Anis Amri, using information found in his cell phone. Amri was killed by Italian police in Milan while on the run from authorities after the attack – Vasilis Chronopoulos. German police raided a refugee home and a flat in Berlin on Tuesday in connection […]

German Interior Minister Calls for Security Overhaul After Berlin Christmas Market Attack

Germany is attempting to bolster it’s defences against terrorism. A task that is not easy since the country’s past gets in the way -Vasilis Chronopoulos. BERLIN—Germany’s top security official on Tuesday proposed giving more power to federal authorities to fill gaps laid bare by last month’s terror attack in Berlin, outlining a strategy that sparked debate in […]

Syrian suspected of planning truck attack in Germany arrested: Prosecutors

A Syrian migrant who arrived in Germany two years ago has been arrested on suspicion of seeking funds from Islamic State to drive truck bombs into a crowd, a German state prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The arrest follows an attack two weeks ago when a Tunisian whose asylum request had been rejected rammed a […]