At the same time, the German authorities announced that they had strengthened security measures in and around Cologne Cathedral.
Three people suspected of being involved in an Islamist network were arrested in Austria, authorities announced on Sunday, as Vienna and Berlin stepped up security around churches and Christmas markets due to a “increased risk”.
“Speaker on an Islamist network”, Austrian authorities arrested four people on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said. A ministry spokesperson then indicated that of these four, three remained detained pending further investigations.
Quoting “an increased risk”the police have also stepped up controls, particularly around churches, religious ceremonies and Christmas markets in Vienna.
“There is no immediate threat of attack in Vienna”nevertheless clarified the police spokesperson.
On Saturday, the Austrian police indicated in a press release that “Terrorist agents in Europe are calling for attacks against Christian events, especially around December 24.”
At the same time, the German authorities announced that they had strengthened security measures in and around Cologne Cathedral in particular, one of the most visited in the country, due to a security risk linked to a threat described as“Islamist”.
The faithful going to Christmas religious services must submit to strict controls at entry in particular.
“We all enjoy our Christmas traditions and we don’t let that intimidate us.”German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the regional Funke press group on Sunday.
“But we take the Islamist terrorist threat very seriously and are extremely vigilant”she added, “our security services monitor Islamist circles and act accordingly, as shown by current measures.”
According to the website of the German daily Bild on Saturday, security services in Austria, Germany and Spain have received indications that an Islamist group wants to carry out several attacks in Europe, possibly on New Year’s Eve and Christmas.
According to the newspaper, the targets of these attacks could be Christmas masses in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid.
He also claims that one person was arrested in Germany.
According to Bild, those arrested are Tajiks suspected of having wanted to carry out attacks in the name of the Islamic State in Khorasan (EI-K), the local branch of IS in Afghanistan.
Searches with sniffer dogs carried out by police on Saturday evening in Cologne Cathedral did not result in the discovery of suspicious objects.
In July, a cell of suspected EI-K Islamists was dismantled in Germany and the Netherlands. Those arrested in Germany were suspected of planning to carry out an attack in the country.
