ISIS supporter arrested after terror plot to attack with crossbow and DIY bomb foiled
AN Islamic State supporter is under arrest in Germany for plotting a terror attack with a crossbow and a DIY bomb.
German police have arrested an Islamic State supporter for plotting a terror attack
Iwan K., 21, purchased a high-performance crossbow capable of hurling a projectile through the air at 300 feet per second, for just under 220 pounds.
The young man was under the surveillance of intelligence operatives in the town of Lippstadt in western Germany because he had links to celebrated hate preacher Abu Walaa - idol of Berlin Christmas market killer Anis Amri.
Walaa - a recruiter for Islamic State - is currently in detention pending trial for promoting a banned terror organisation.
Iwan K. was arrested last week one day after he bought the crossbow from a weapons dealer. But because it is classified as a "hobby" weapon, prosecutors refused to hold him.
Iwan K. had links to hate preacher Abu Walaa, the idol of Berlin Christmas market killer Anis Amri
But he was rearrested the same day after a police search of his home in a cheap hotel turned up a mobile phone with Isis messages, a video where he pledged his allegiance to the group - and bomb-making instructions.
We are sure we have prevented an imminent attack
Police say he was in the process of acquiring the chemicals to make TATP explosives - a lethal blend of acetone peroxide, hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid used by the Islamic bombers at Brussels Airport in Belgium on Macrh 22 last year.
He was arrested last week one day after he bought a crossbow from a weapons dealer
Angela Merkel was informed of the loophole in which crossbows can be bought without a permit
An investigator told Germany's Bild: "We are sure we have prevented an imminent attack. We believe he anted to use both the crossbow and the gun to kiss as many people as he could."
The Federal Police in Germany are pressing for a change in the law that would put crossbows into the same category as handguns, requiring a permit to be owned.
Apparently Chancellor Angela Merkel was personally informed of the loophole which is expected to be closed in the coming weeks.