German authorities have detained five men in southern Germany over an alleged plot to carry out a “possibly Islamist-motivated attack” on a Christmas market, officials confirmed late Friday.
The suspected attack targeted a Christmas market in the Bavarian city of Dingolfing and was thwarted following a tip from a foreign intelligence service, according to German media reports and prosecutors.
Authorities said the alert prompted an urgent police operation, leading to the arrest of five suspects on Friday. The Munich public prosecutor’s office confirmed that those detained include a 56-year-old Egyptian national, a 37-year-old Syrian national, and three Moroccan nationals aged 22, 28, and 30.
German newspaper Bild and other outlets reported that the alleged plot was uncovered after German security services received specific intelligence from a foreign intelligence service. Officials have declined to identify the country involved or the precise nature of the information.
German police said the tip was considered credible enough to justify immediate intervention, particularly given heightened security concerns surrounding Christmas markets, which have previously been targeted in deadly attacks service.
SUSPECTED UNDER INVESTIGATION
Investigators believe the suspects may have planned to ram a vehicle into a crowded Christmas market, a tactic used in past extremist attacks in Europe.
Yet authorities stressed that it remains unclear how advanced or operational the plans were, and no specific date for a possible attack was confirmed.
Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and that charges have not yet been finalized, as evidence is still being assessed.
Germany traditionally increases security around Christmas markets following a series of attacks in Europe in recent years, including the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, which killed 12 people.
Officials emphasized that the swift action in Dingolfing demonstrates improved intelligence sharing and rapid response capabilities, though they cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about motives.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm, saying there is no indication of an immediate threat to other Christmas markets at this time.
