Advertisement

German police release 11 detained on suspicions of terrorism after no weapons found

Police secure the area near the Augsburg town hall, Germany, March 26, 2019.
Police secure the area near the Augsburg town hall, Germany, March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Ralph Brock

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

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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)

Click to play video: 'PM Trudeau, German Chancellor lay flowers at Berlin Christmas market'
PM Trudeau, German Chancellor lay flowers at Berlin Christmas market

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.

Story continues below advertisement

Austrian police are investigating links between the attacker and the far-right Identitarian Movement, which opposes Muslim immigration.

Sponsored content

AdChoices