Posted on 08/18/2006 10:56:49 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Earlier this month we noted a report of bombs found on German trains, and today German authorities released more details on what was apparently intended to be an atrocity on the scale of the July 7 bombings in London: German Police Release Bomb Suspect Images, Set Reward.
The German Criminal Police Office on Friday released images taken from a surveillance camera of the two suspects in the attempted bombing of two trains. Police believe the plot was an attempted terror attack.
The German investigators working on the case surrounding the two suitcase bombs found on trains in Koblenz and Dortmund at the end of July released images obtained from surveillance cameras of two suspects in the suspected terror plot.
The authorities announced that there would be a reward of 50,000 ($64,195) euros for any information which would lead to the capture of the two young men in the grainy photos, who were both described as being from “southern countries.”
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) revealed that the evidence had led to one suspect being identified, but so far they have no details of his background and activities. They warn that the man could still be at large. The authorities also revealed that they are circulating details within the intelligence community of the second suspect who may have been involved in the plot. “We have very serious concerns about the background of this intended attack,” the security source added.
The BKA believe that Germany was being targeted for terrorist attacks and that if the explosive devices had been detonated, their size and construction would have created devastation and death on a scale reminiscent of the July 7, 2005 attacks on the London transport system.
Both of the suitcases discovered on July 31 contained gas cylinders rigged up to an ignition mechanism and had been left in two regional trains which usually run at the height of the commuter rush hour. The suitcases were discovered by rail staff when the trains terminated at the two hub stations. The construction of the devices and the potential impact the explosions would have had suggests a sophisticated plot.
The BKA believes that the planned attack could have been the work of a terrorist organization operating in Germany.
Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that a bag found in one of the suitcases came from the Lebanese capital of Beirut, but German officials wouldn’t confirm the story.
UPDATE at 8/18/06 9:58:48 am:
Davids Medienkritik points out that this attack was not foiled by German authorities—they simply got lucky. Suspects Sought in Near Terror Disaster on German Trains.
According to reports circulating throughout the German media today, two suitcase bombs placed by two unidentified men very nearly went off on regional trains in Dortmund and Koblenz at the end of July. A deadly simultaneous bombing was only averted because the bombs were technically defective. Had they detonated, German authorities believe that a mass casualty event similar to the recent attacks in London could have been the result.
Police believe that a terrorist motive is probable, particularly because the suitcases contained Arabic writing and telephone numbers from Lebanon. The men who placed the bombs also strongly appear to be of Middle Eastern origin. German authorities have published further images of clues, the bombs and the suspects and are offering rewards to anyone with key information on their identities and/or origins. The bombings were likely intended to “send a message to the West” over the Israeli-Lebanese conflict.
Proof that "NOT JOINING THE WOT" doesn't save you from terrorists.
One on the left looks Turkish, not Arabic. Germans have a big problem if jihad takes hold among their Turkish population.
Gee, ya THINK?? /sarc
Sometimes press reports just slay me. Gee, I wonder what RELIGION those poor, disaffected men are? Let me think...
July 31 and we are hearing about it now! What gives?
I thought Germany HAS joined the WOT.
The bundeswehr was active in Afghanistan last I knew, and I believe the German Navy has been actively involved in operation Enduring Freedom, off the horn of Africa for quite some time.
Several German soldiers have given their lives in operations in Afghanistan.
Id check your facts before making such comments.
I guess they needed to investigate first and get more info.
The bombings were likely intended to “send a message to the West” over the Israeli-Lebanese conflict.
That's only the reason du jour. Before July, it would have been Iraq; before that who knows. The befuddled press and liberal media just can't understand that it is not what we do but who we are that causes them to plan and commit acts of terror. We are the infidels, the people who will not accept Islam and Islamic beliefs and strictures. Therefore we are the subject of their Jihad, their never ending holy war against the west, our freedoms and our religions.
Those in the worldwide press or here at home say bring our troops home, do not inflame them or give them cause to hate us. It won't work. It does not matter the reason given for the attack, it will come just because we are who we are. And the sooner the liberal mindset understands this, the better off and safer we will be.
They're getting smarter, these animals got off the train.
Too bad this needed to be posted on the Bloggers forum; it would have received more notice in the News forum.
I wish it could be too. Little Green Footballs is the best blogger out there. There are a few more like Jawa and USS Neverdock who are great too. Bloggers are the ones who get the real news. I love reading the blogs.
Those dastardly Druze again, I betcha...
bttt
Another update:
During an anti-terror raid today at Kiel Central Station, one of the two suspects has been arrested. Details will be announced later today at 10.30 pm EST. It´s said that the terrorists are semi-professionals and wanted to show solidarity with Hizbollah.
Wann erwacht das Volk?
If you read the verbalism of your friend in #17 maybe you will know why I have a certain impression of him. That has nothing to do with a just fight against terrorism, that is simply linked to his crude ideology.
Bei solchen Leuten kann ich gar nicht "soviel fressen wie ich kotzen möchte". That are the same words Max Liebermann used when he saw the SA-scum walking through the Brandenburg gate in 1933.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.