A 30-year-old Tajik According to the Cologne police, he was arrested on suspicion of connection with a terrorist threat to Cologne Cathedral.
Performed during an operation in Christmas Eve in Wesel, Five people were arrested fifteen kilometers north of Colonia. Four were released, but the fifth, 30, remains in custody by court order until January 7th.
According to the police, everything is now being done to protect the public, the cathedral and the upcoming New Year celebrations.
The cathedral remains closed to tourists until further notice after surveillance of the temple had been stepped up in recent days due to fears of possible jihadist attacks.
“All liturgical services are taking place, unfortunately tourist visits are not possible,” explained the cathedral’s security chief. Oliver Gassen, in statements to the DPA agency. Therefore, without mass, it is not possible to get into the interior.
According to the police, the German authorities raised the alarm regarding the New Year’s Eve celebration because there were indications of a suspected terrorist attack.
Meanwhile, four people have been arrested in Austria in recent days on similar suspicions.
Cologne Cathedral is one of the city’s landmarks and is usually visited by more than 100,000 people between Christmas and New Year. The provost, Guido AssmannHe regretted the setbacks for the guests, but emphasized that “Safety first”.