According to German police, security is being increased at Cologne Cathedral in response to indications of a planned attack on New Year’s Eve. This move comes after the interior minister warned of the growing threat of Islamist violence. The police announced they would be using tracker dogs to check the cathedral after evening mass and then close it off. On Christmas Eve, they will conduct a security check on all visitors and advise them to arrive early for services.
The police did not provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation. However, the German newspaper Bild reported that security authorities in Austria, Germany, and Spain had received information about plans by an Islamist group to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Austrian police released a statement saying they would be increasing security at churches and Christmas markets due to the heightened state of alert. “Given that terrorist actors throughout Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events, especially around Dec. 24, the security authorities have taken the corresponding protection measures in public spaces,” the police said. (Reporting by Ralf Bode; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Richard Chang)
