The threat that had been cited as a concern for the Christopher Street Day parade in Gelsenkirchen this spring was apparently motivated by Islamic extremism, according to an article in “Spiegel”. The queer march was originally scheduled for May 17, 2025, with an estimated 600 participants. However, the organisers cancelled the event at the very last moment, citing a “diffuse threat situation”. In a press release they warned that the postponement would severely compromise the community’s visibility, while also reaffirming that the safety of all participants was their top priority.
That morning, the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine‑Westphalia (Landeskriminalamt NRW) became aware of a TikTok post that had triggered the concern. The post, made by a male suspect, called for an attack, which authorities judged to be a serious threat. Investigations by the news magazine revealed that the suspect’s profile avatar displayed a black flag – a symbol used by some Islamist groups – alongside a hand gesture known as the “Tawhid finger” which signifies belief in one God and is also employed by extremist factions.
The suspect is reportedly a teenager living in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Zurich State Attorney’s Office said that the Swiss Youth Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating the case, but that no additional information could be released at the time.