Radical ideologies - Alarm in Jewish communities over planned attack on a synagogue
What were the arrangements for assaulting a synagogue in Heidelberg? There is still a lot of ambiguity, but the detention of two young guys raises worries. The Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft (IRG) Baden has observed a considerable rise in the hazard to Jewish communities. As per IRG Baden's chairman, Rami Suliman, "Not only was it no longer an individual assailant, but there are two suspects." Additionally, Suliman noted that the two men were eager to become "martyrs." He expressed concern, saying, "This is a level that I've never witnessed before in this country; it resembles conditions in Israel."
Suliman urged the Jewish community members in Baden to remain exceedingly cautious. He also stated he trusted the police, who were present outside synagogues and rapidly arrived at the Heidelberg incident's scene.
The German Central Council of Jews echoed these views on a Friday. Since the synagogue assault in Halle in October 2019, the federal and state governments have reassessed and significantly improved the security measures in place at synagogues and other Jewish institutions, according to a Central Council spokesperson. "We have faith in the security authorities, and the Heidelberg case serves as a regrettable reminder of the importance of these safeguards," the spokesperson added.
"An attack on Jewish life in Germany is, in essence, an attack on our core principles and, as a result, an attack on all of us," as stated by Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU). The apprehension on the ground is significant: on Friday evening, hundreds of individuals congregated in front of the synagogue to form a human chain.
The presumed plan to attack guests at a synagogue was disclosed on a Friday. An 18-year-old from Weinheim in Baden-Württemberg, who had previously been apprehended, was reportedly exchanging online information with another man, now in custody, about a knife attack on a Jewish institution, as per the Stuttgart and Karlsruhe public prosecutor's offices and the State Criminal Police Office. The 18-year-old is of German-Turkish descent, while the other, 24-year-old man, is a German citizen, according to the police.
On May 3, police conducted a search of the 24-year-old's residence in Bad Friedrichshall in the Heilbronn region on charges of preparing a severe act of violence against the state. The 24-year-old had thrown a knife at an officer. The man is now also charged with attempted manslaughter and a particularly grievous case of assaulting police officers. He may have planned a terrorist attack overseas.
At the weekend, additional details were not released. It was uncertain whether the supposedly planned terrorist assault was an attack on the synagogue. According to the Karlsruhe public prosecutor's office, there was no evidence of an imminent risk to synagogue visitors. They had intervened in time, according to a spokesperson.
While assessing the evidence, the investigators discovered a chat history with the 18-year-old from Weinheim. The two men allegedly discussed a potential knife assault on the synagogue in April. On May 18, State Office of Criminal Investigation officers and special forces searched the 18-year-old's apartment and apprehended him. The charges against him: conspiracy to commit murder.
The Heidelberg synagogue, dedicated in 1994, has a Jewish Community of 420 members.
Press release from 24.05.
Press release from 03.05.
Press release from 06.05.
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Source: www.stern.de