Four arrested in Austria following Islamist attack plans

DPA
·2 min read
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Police officers stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa
Police officers stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa

The Austrian domestic intelligence service has detained four people in an investigation into an Islamist network, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

The arrests follow indications of a possible attack on a church in Vienna and the cathedral in the German city of Cologne.

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence at the Austrian Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that interrogations with the suspects were under way. Further details could not be given at present for reasons of criminal tactics.

German newspaper Bild had previously reported on the Austrian arrests, as well as one in Germany. There was initially no confirmation of this on Sunday.

The Interior Ministry in Vienna said the security situation in Austria and throughout Europe was tense. The security services were therefore taking precautionary measures during the Christmas holidays in the form of increased surveillance and monitoring in public spaces.

The police in Vienna had made similar statements on Saturday. Security measures were also increased at Cologne Cathedral.

Police officers stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa
Police officers stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa
Police cars stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa
Police cars stand in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral following indications of a possible attack plan by a terrorist group. According to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has arrested four people in an investigation into a terrorist network. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa