A German Police Probe Ties Two Teens to a Suspected Cologne Terror Plot
German authorities detained a 15-year-old boy of Afghan origin and a 16-year-old Russian citizen on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack in the city of Cologne. The information came from a German publication reporting on the incident. A photograph accompanies the report.
According to the outlet, investigators conducted searches on November 28 at the suspects’ rooms in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg, and two Islamist teenagers were taken into custody as part of the inquiry.
The report states that the 15-year-old, identified as Edris D. from Burscheid, posted messages on his Telegram channel that called for holy war against the West. The material also referenced plans for an attack scheduled for December 1.
Investigators found that Edris D. had close contact with Rasul M., a Russian citizen from Vitshtok, who is described by authorities as a backer of the Islamic State, a group banned in Russia. The authorities believe Rasul M. planned to travel to Edris D. to help carry out the assault.
Bild, a German newspaper, reported that the potential targets included a Christmas market or a synagogue in Cologne. The two suspects were allegedly considering the use of homemade incendiary mixtures or a small truck to execute the attack.
In a separate development, FSB officers reportedly detained an agent of Ukrainian intelligence who was preparing an attack against a senior Russian official.
The report also referenced a former Russian high school student who received a six-year sentence after being convicted for attempting to set fire to a military enlistment office.
These events illustrate ongoing concerns about homegrown extremism, cross-border radical networks, and the threats facing public venues during major seasonal periods. The reporting underscores the need for vigilance amid evolving patterns of online recruitment, communication, and planned violence across different regions, amid broader security efforts in Europe and beyond. The authorities involved emphasized that the investigation remains active and is being pursued with the aim of preventing any potential harm to civilians, as well as ensuring accountability for those connected to the alleged plots. [Bild] [Public records and statements cited by the reporting outlets].