Arrested in April: 16-year-old student is said to have planned a terrorist attack on a church

A 16-year-old is said to be working for the terrorist group “Islamic State” (IS). Attack on a church in Hamm planned have. A spokeswoman for the Düsseldorf public prosecutor’s office confirmed a corresponding report in the “Bild” newspaper. Accordingly, the student from Hamm was arrested at the beginning of April. A judge has now ordered his placement in a juvenile forensic center because of a psychiatric illness.

“We are investigating the accused, among other things, for supporting a terrorist organization,” said the spokeswoman for the “Bild” newspaper. “There is strong suspicion.” The young person is said to have begun to become Islamist radicalized as early as 2023. “He was in contact with a person close to ISIS.”

Student wanted to travel to IS territory

The student originally wanted to travel to IS territory and join the armed jihad. A middleman is said to have persuaded the German initially to carry out an attack in his hometown. According to the newspaper’s information, he should Church of an independent Christian community identified as a target for an arson attack.

Back in March, the student is said to have tried to set fire to a tree stand with a New Year’s Eve rocket – but in vain. The spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office said it was still being determined whether this was some kind of preparation for the planned attack.

Just a few days ago, a case in Bavaria caused a stir. A 15-year-old is said to have planned an explosive attack on a synagogue. The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged the young person with, among other things, preparing a serious act of violence that endangers the state.

By Editor