Bavarian police prevent Islamist attack on Christmas market

People at the Christmas market in Germany, November 24, 2025. Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev. AFP via Getty Images

On December 12, 2025, in Bavaria, German law enforcement agencies prevented an attempted terrorist attack at a Christmas market, detaining five suspects who held Islamist views, reports The Christian Post.

According to the investigation, the perpetrators planned to drive into visitors at the Christmas market using a vehicle, aiming to kill or injure as many people as possible. The details of the attack were discussed in a closed circle, and the suspects were under surveillance.

As part of the operation, three Moroccan citizens, an Egyptian citizen, and a Syrian national were detained. Investigative authorities specify that the alleged target was in the Dingolfing-Landau area in Bavaria, northeast of Munich, but the exact location of the planned attack is not officially disclosed.

The prosecution issued arrest warrants for four of the individuals, while another suspect is in custody as part of a preliminary investigation. According to media reports, the 56-year-old Egyptian, who is an imam, is suspected of inciting the attack, while the others, according to the investigation, agreed to participate in the plan's execution. All five suspects appeared before a magistrate on Saturday and remain in custody.

Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s state interior minister, said the rapid arrests were made possible through “excellent cooperation between our security services,” adding that the suspects were apprehended before they could act. In light of previous terrorist attacks, German authorities continue to strengthen security measures at Christmas markets, which have repeatedly been targeted in recent years.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Guadeloupe, a driver fatally hit 10 people at a Christmas market.

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