GETTY German police have arrested an Islamic State supporter for plotting a terror attack

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Iwan K., 21, purchased a high-performance crossbow capable of hurling a projectile through the air at 300 feet per second, for just under 220 pounds. The young man was under the surveillance of intelligence operatives in the town of Lippstadt in western Germany because he had links to celebrated hate preacher Abu Walaa - idol of Berlin Christmas market killer Anis Amri.

Walaa - a recruiter for Islamic State - is currently in detention pending trial for promoting a banned terror organisation. Iwan K. was arrested last week one day after he bought the crossbow from a weapons dealer. But because it is classified as a "hobby" weapon, prosecutors refused to hold him.

GETTY Iwan K. had links to hate preacher Abu Walaa, the idol of Berlin Christmas market killer Anis Amri

BERLIN TERROR: 'TWELVE' dead as truck crashed into crowd at Christmas market Tue, December 20, 2016 A truck crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin killing at least 12 and injuring 48 Play slideshow REUTERS•AFP 1 of 21 A truck crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin killing at least 12 and injuring 48

But he was rearrested the same day after a police search of his home in a cheap hotel turned up a mobile phone with Isis messages, a video where he pledged his allegiance to the group - and bomb-making instructions.

We are sure we have prevented an imminent attack Investigator

Police say he was in the process of acquiring the chemicals to make TATP explosives - a lethal blend of acetone peroxide, hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid used by the Islamic bombers at Brussels Airport in Belgium on Macrh 22 last year.

GETTY He was arrested last week one day after he bought a crossbow from a weapons dealer

GETTY Angela Merkel was informed of the loophole in which crossbows can be bought without a permit