Eleven men who were detained overnight on suspicion of planning major attacks with stockpiled weapons were released on Saturday after no evidence of a cache of weapons or explosives was found, a prosecution spokesman said.
The men, aged between 22 and 35, were held during raids conducted by police commandos in western and southern Germany on suspicion that they were supporters of the Islamic State militant group planning a “serious, state-endangering crime.”
READ MORE: Gardener suspected of planting bombs found dead in Germany
The spokesman said the men, most of whom were Tajikistan nationals, were released after investigators’ suspicions proved unfounded.
Germany has been the scene of several Islamist militant attacks in recent years, including a 2016 truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people.
WATCH: PM Trudeau, German chancellor lay flowers at Berlin Christmas market (Feb. 17, 2017)
Authorities across Europe are also on high alert for attacks from right-wing extremists after last week’s New Zealand mosque attack that left 50 dead.
Austrian police are investigating links between the attacker and the far-right Identitarian Movement, which opposes Muslim immigration.
- Prince Harry won’t meet with King Charles during Invictus visit in London
- Video of Ole Miss frat member making ape noises at Black protester sparks outrage
- Siblings, ages 2 and 4, die after being swept away by river in California
- Will Fani Willis remain on Trump election case? Georgia appeals court to review
Comments