An original translation from Berliner Zeitung (B.Z.)

Arrest Warrant Against ISIS Sleeper

Youth Planned Terror Attack with Kalashnikov in Berlin

Berlin – September 4, 2017

A young Syrian is in court: he came to Germany to commit an attack: not an attack with knife or vehicle, but “something larger”.

The district court Halle has issued an arrest warrant in the case against a young terror suspect from Syria. The chamber substantiated this with flight risk. It stood to reason that the plaintiff, who is, according to his own statement, 16 years old, had not abandoned his attack plans, and could only put them into action by fleeing. The case was submitted to the Senate For State Security at the Supreme Court.

The case against the 16-year old was opened in Halle two weeks ago. Because of the young age of the plaintiff, the proceedings were not public. The Senate For State Security at the Higher Regional Court Berlin is in charge of terror offenses in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt.

Syrian Entered Germany in Autumn 2015 as Refugee

The youth is charged with preparing a severe subversive violent crime. The Syrian had entered Germany in autumn 2015 as unaccompanied minor refugee, and allegedly sympathizes with the Jihadi militia Islamic State (ISIS). The proceedings had begun in Halle end of August in closed session.

Did he plan a terror attack in Berlin as an ISIS sleeper?

The plaintiff had, according to charges, volunteered as a so-called sleeper for ISIS since he entered the Federal Republic [of Germany], by showing serious willingness to commit a terror attack in Berlin. Furthermore, he was collecting and distributing ISIS propaganda materials.

Moreover, he downloaded a 94-page manual for building a Kalashnikov from the internet to his mobile phone, with the intention to use it for an attack in Berlin.

Terror Plans: Building an Automatic Rifle, Constructing an Explosive Belt

According to investigations, he enquired in chats how to build an explosive belt without coming under suspicion.

He allegedly revealed to an informant of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution [German Intel – translator], who was working as a covert chat partner, that he did not come to Germany to live here, and neither to kill one or two people with a knife. Instead, he were planning something larger.

The Senates for State Security at the Supreme Courts are in charge of proceedings with such charges. The Senate for State Security at the Superior Court Berlin is in charge for the states Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt.

Translator’s footnote:

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas’ famous statement of November 16, 2015 comes into mind:

“There is no connection, not a single traceable connection, between terrorism and refugees.”