The explosion was triggered around 10pm last night and also hit a nearby international congress building. Police have for long warned that neo-Nazis in Germany have been forming themselves into well armed paramilitary cells; the fear now is that this may be the precursor of more right wing terror to come. "Although so far noone has claimed responsibility, we believe a xenophobic motive lies behind these crimes," said Dresden police chief Horst Kretzschmar. "We also see a connection to the Unification Day ceremonies due to take place this weekend" - the annivesary of East and West Germany becoming one state shortly after the fall of communism in 1989.

One went off outside the entrance to a local mosque, the other outside a congress hall. In both cases police spoke of "hate crimes." No-one was hurt in the blasts.

No one was hurt in the blast but the explosion is being seen as the latest example of the unchecked rise of the far right in Germany as a backlash to Angela Merkel’s open door immigration policy.

A spokesman for Dresden police said: "Even if we don't have a claim of responsibility, we have to assume a xenophobic motive"

The DIY bomb at the mosque went off at 9.57pm, at the congress at 10.19pm. Police confirmed the discovery of home made explosives at the two crime scenes.



"Now we working in crisis mode", the police chief added. The police's main mission, he said, is to protect the affected mosque in the Dresden district of Cotta as well as stepping up security at more mosques in the city.



Also, he added, an Islamic centre in Cotta will be "intensively guarded."



Dresden is the capital of the state of Saxony, scene of repeated attacks against foreigners and refugee centres since the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants into Germany began in earnest last year.



It is also the birthplace of the Pegida movement, the anti-Islamic, anti-immigrant movement which drew tens of thousands of people on to the streets of the old baroque city in mass demos protesting at Angela Merkel'v 'open door' asylum policies.



At the time of the mosque attack the Iman was inside with his wife and two sons. The front door was shoved inwards by the force of the blast.



At the International Congress Centre the heat of the explosion destroyed the side of a glass box outside. The terraced building is located directly on the banks of the Elbe River.



A nearby hotel bar was evacuated. The Police urged guests with rooms looking out on to the centre to stay away from their windows.

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