The security measures remain in place: because of indications of a possible planned attack Cologne Cathedral will remain closed to tourists until further notice. “All liturgical offerings are taking place, unfortunately tourist visits are not possible,” said the cathedral’s security chief, Oliver Gassen, to the German Press Agency on Tuesday. “The cathedral will be closed between services.”
Normally the cathedral is visited by more than 100,000 people from Christmas to New Year. Unfortunately, this will not be possible this year due to the special security situation.
Of course that was a shame, cathedral provost Guido Assmann lamented. “People come from distant countries to spend a few days in Cologne and then not being able to go to the cathedral is a restriction. But safety comes first.” In any case, the churchgoers would not have been deterred by the terror alarm
Detention in Wesel
“The believers are coming – the Christmas mass was fuller than last year,” emphasized Assmann, who, as the cathedral provost, heads the cathedral chapter – the cathedral’s governing body.
According to dpa information, the security authorities had information a possible attack plan by an Islamist group on Cologne Cathedral and a church in Vienna receive. According to the Cologne police The references referred to New Year’s Eve.
In connection with the terrorist alarm, the police took a suspect into custody in Wesel. The police searched an apartment in the city on the Lower Rhine with special forces on Christmas Eve and took five men into custody. While four of them were released, the emergency services took a 30-year-old Tajik into custody “to avert danger”. The police announced on Tuesday that there was information relevant to state security regarding him.
On Christmas Day, at the request of the Cologne police, the Oberhausen district court confirmed the order of detention until January 7th. Police chief Michael Esser said: “We are exhausting all legal options to protect the people, the cathedral and the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations.” To the backgroundsThe police are taking him into custody due to ongoing investigations no information until further notice To give.
Currently popular at Tagesspiegel Plus:
Christmas in the old homeland Help, my parents treat me like a child Annalena Baerbock in an interview “Being a mother enables me to be a better politician” Increase in strength after just three seconds A sports doctor explains which workout is the most effective
According to the police, it is not yet clear what will happen with the security measures at the landmark on the Rhine after the Christmas holidays. Discussions were ongoing in which the cathedral chapter was also included.
In Austria, four people were arrested during investigations against an Islamist network. According to the public prosecutor’s office, three were investigated for membership in a terrorist organization in connection with terrorist crimes. (dpa, KNA)
2023-12-26 21:51:21
#Cathedral #remains #closed #tourists #Police #man #custody #terror #warning #Cologne
