Planned “serious acts of violence” — Germany arrests 3 suspected Hamas members.

German police

Planned “serious acts of violence” — Germany arrests 3 suspected Hamas members

German security authorities have arrested three individuals suspected of belonging to the Palestinian movement Hamas on charges of planning serious acts of violence.

According to prosecutors, the three foreign nationals are believed to have been preparing violent attacks in Germany. They allegedly attempted to obtain firearms and ammunition for Hamas to use in assassination operations targeting vital institutions in the country.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement:

“During today’s arrests, various weapons were found, including an AK-47 assault rifle, several handguns, and a large quantity of ammunition.”

The suspects were detained in Berlin and identified in accordance with German privacy laws as German citizen Abed Al J., Lebanese-born Wael F. M., and German citizen Ahmed E.

Four other suspected Hamas members, accused of plotting attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe, had previously gone on trial in Berlin last February — the first such case against Hamas members in Germany.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported that anti-terror investigators tracked the suspects as they met in Berlin to exchange weapons, before special forces intervened and seized operational firearms.