The state of Saxony-Anhalt has announced the arrest of a 21-year-old man, originating from Central Asia, suspected of planning a large-scale attack. The individual, who arrived in Germany in June 2024 on an au-pair visa, was taken into police custody last Friday, according to State Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang (CDU). He had begun vocational training as a nursing assistant earlier this year, currently holding a residence permit for vocational training purposes.
Details remain limited, but authorities revealed that information concerning the alleged attack plan was received by the State Criminal Investigation Office (LKA) via the Federal Criminal Office (BKA) on Thursday. The tip originated from a domestic security authority within the LKA’s State Protection department. The suspect is believed to have been planning an attack targeting a large gathering of people.
Crucially, the suspect had no prior police record, raising questions regarding the effectiveness of existing security protocols for monitoring individuals entering the country under seemingly benign visa programs. While officials have stressed the importance of due process, the fact that the man was able to begin a vocational training program before the alleged plot was uncovered has drawn immediate scrutiny.
The suspect is currently being held in a correctional facility and authorities have stated their intention to pursue a swift deportation process. The timing of the arrest, just weeks before regional elections, is likely to amplify political debate concerning immigration policies and national security. Opposition parties are already calling for an immediate review of procedures for vetting foreign nationals entering Germany on temporary visas and a particular focus on integration and potential radicalization risks within vocational training schemes. The investigation is ongoing and the potential scope of the alleged plot remains unclear, but the incident is certain to reignite the ongoing debate on balancing security concerns and the principles of asylum and integration.