Terror Plot or Homesickness? Austria Detains Alleged Islamic Extremist
A fascinating article and summarised as:
Quote:
Austrian authorities have detained an alleged Islamist extremist from Berlin as he was traveling back from Afghanistan, where he had undergone terror training. The 26-year-old had boasted about attacking "infidels," but it is unclear whether he was embarking on a terror plot or simply heading home after becoming disillusioned with his cause.
Link:http://www.spiegel.de/international/...769405,00.html
Curious the potential / actual role of Austria, a small country at the "crossroads of Europe" and IIRC with little experience of terrorist attacks for a long time (OPEC ministers seized way back in the 1970's).
Public transit bombs planted
Caught this low-key item on the BBC:
Quote:
German police have discovered an explosive device on a train line in the Berlin area - the fourth day in a row that devices have been found in and around the German capital. So far, there have been eight incidents of explosive devices being found. Police suspect a left-wing group of planting the firebombs, some of them on high-speed railway lines.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15287806
The BBC links this other story:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14585600
This appears to be the first, possible violent campaign in Western Europe by those opposed to a role in Afghanistan. From this armchair it could be one person or a very small group.
Berlin police arrest man for torching 100 luxury cars
A BBC report which explains:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15429744
Which cites:
Quote:
"He wasn't motivated by politics but rather social envy," said senior police official Oliver Stepien. "He said in essence: 'I've got debts, my life stinks and others with fancy cars are better off and they deserve this'."
Earlier this month, the Berlin railway system was hit by arson attacks. Explosive devices were placed in a number of locations, including at least one on a high-speed rail track. A previously unknown left-wing group, calling itself the Hekla Reception Committee, said it had planted the devices.
Germany: Neo-Nazi terror discovered
There is a separate thread 'Germany - terrorism/military operations/America' which provides some background, but on a quick scan the focus is on the Islamic threat, so today's news deserves a new thread. Old thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=5483
BBC News:
Quote:
New arrest as Germany links neo-Nazis to 10 murders...Police in Germany have made a second arrest after the dramatic discovery of evidence linking a self-styled Nazi group to the murder of nine foreigners...The murders were committed in several German cities ...between 2000 and 2007.
The group only came to light this week after one alleged member surrendered and two others killed themselves....She handed herself in on Tuesday after allegedly blowing up the flat she had rented in the eastern town of Zwickau.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15714084
The murky world of intelligence gathering appears:
Quote:
Allegations surfaced Sunday that one or more members of the group, which called itself the National Socialist Underground, may have worked as confidential informants for Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
The NYT story has other details:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/wo..._r=1&ref=world
Neo-Nazi activities in Germany are a controversial subject, some press coverage has referred to a lack of political will in responding and this evening's BBC Radio 4 News the Bundestag made this the first item and listened to the Chancellor's report. See:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15727841
No doubt some will describe the undetected crime series as an example of "failing to join the dots".
We shall to watch what happens.