- Feb 5, 2002
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OSV News) — German police have significantly increased security measures around Cologne Cathedral over the Christmas period, due to indications of an increased threat situation in Europe, according to international news agency KNA, based in Germany.
Visitors to Christmas services in Cologne Cathedral are being asked to exert patience, as police launched extensive security measures Dec. 23. After the evening Mass, the cathedral was closed and searched for five hours with bomb-sniffing dogs, a police spokesman announced on Sunday. He did not give any further details about the nature of the threat, merely referring to an increased threat level in Europe.
Security measures have also been tightened in Austria, according to police there.
A report in the German newspaper Bild stated that members of an Islamist terrorist cell have been arrested in both Germany and Austria. The newspaper also said that there had been indications of a planned Islamist attack on the cathedral. According to Michael Esser, head of the criminal investigation department, the planned attack may be related to New Year’s Eve. Nevertheless, security measures had already been enhanced ahead of Christmas.
Around Cologne Cathedral Dec. 23, the police were deployed with some two dozen police cars. The state security organization responsible for combating politically motivated crime is also investigating, according to reports.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Visitors to Christmas services in Cologne Cathedral are being asked to exert patience, as police launched extensive security measures Dec. 23. After the evening Mass, the cathedral was closed and searched for five hours with bomb-sniffing dogs, a police spokesman announced on Sunday. He did not give any further details about the nature of the threat, merely referring to an increased threat level in Europe.
Security measures have also been tightened in Austria, according to police there.
A report in the German newspaper Bild stated that members of an Islamist terrorist cell have been arrested in both Germany and Austria. The newspaper also said that there had been indications of a planned Islamist attack on the cathedral. According to Michael Esser, head of the criminal investigation department, the planned attack may be related to New Year’s Eve. Nevertheless, security measures had already been enhanced ahead of Christmas.
Around Cologne Cathedral Dec. 23, the police were deployed with some two dozen police cars. The state security organization responsible for combating politically motivated crime is also investigating, according to reports.
Christmas Masses held as planned
Continued below.
Police search Cologne Cathedral after Christmas security threat
German police have significantly increased security measures around Cologne Cathedral over the Christmas period, due to increased threats.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
