The Federal Prosecutor’s Office in North Rhine-Westphalia has arrested a suspected IS supporter at Cologne/Bonn Airport. The suspect, who has German-Moroccan-Polish nationality, is accused of transferring almost 1,700 US dollars via a cryptocurrency exchange to an account of the terrorist organization Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISPK) in September 2023. The suspect is being investigated for supporting a terrorist organization abroad and violations of the Foreign Trade Act. He has been in custody since Friday evening. The arrest warrant is related to the money payments, and there are reports linking the suspect to the upcoming European Football Championship in Germany.
Federal police are now allowed to carry out checks at all German borders due to the European Football Championship. The threat posed by Islamism in Germany is a concern, and authorities are taking precautions to ensure safety during the event. The suspect had applied to work as stewards and security personnel for side events outside football stadiums, including public viewings. However, he failed the application check, according to security sources.
The spokesman for the Federal Prosecutor’s Office did not comment on the reports linking the suspect to the European Football Championship but stated that a statement will be issued at the beginning of the week. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing regarding the suspected terrorist supporter’s activities. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety during major events.