German Police Arrest Three More on Suspicion of Plotting Attack on Cologne Cathedral

German authorities say the country's police arrested three more suspects on Sunday, January 1, following the arrest of an extremist Islamist on December 26, in connection with a plot to attack the Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve. According to Reuters, the head of Cologne police stated in a press conference that these three suspects are currently in custody and have been found to have connections with a 30-year-old Tajik man who has been detained since December 26 on charges of links to ISIS. Frank Wiesbaum mentioned that the arrested suspects intended to attack the 800-year-old Cologne Cathedral building next to the Rhine River using a vehicle, but the method of attack and its planning are still unclear. German police reported that the suspects were arrested in the western cities of Duisburg, Herne, and Neurönich, and communication devices were seized during searches of their apartments. However, the police have not yet released any details about their identities or backgrounds. The EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs had previously warned on December 5 that due to the repercussions of the war between Israel and the 'terrorist' group Hamas, Europe faces a 'significant risk of terrorist attacks' during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Following the arrest of several Hamas members, Denmark expanded its terrorism investigations. Additional news: Seven people have been arrested in three European countries on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks. The Mossad and security services thwarted a Hezbollah terrorist attack plan in Brazil. Cyprus: In cooperation with the Mossad, a plot by the Islamic Republic to kill Israeli merchants was thwarted.