Syrian teen arrested in Germany over suspected Daesh-inspired plot

A 17-year-old Syrian was arrested in Hamburg on suspicion of planning an attack likely inspired by Daesh. (File/AFP)
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Updated 11 May 2026
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Syrian teen arrested in Germany over suspected Daesh-inspired plot

  • The teenager is suspected of wanting to try to kill “unbelievers” in a shopping center, bar or police station using explosives, Molotov cocktails or a knife

BERLIN: A 17-year-old Syrian was arrested in Hamburg on suspicion of planning an attack likely inspired by Daesh, German prosecutors said Monday.
The teenager is suspected of wanting to try to kill “unbelievers” in a shopping center, bar or police station using explosives, Molotov cocktails or a knife, prosecutors said in a statement.
They added that a raid on a property used by the suspect had turned up fertilizer, a liquid barbecue lighter, a balaclava and a knife.
He was arrested on May 7 by a specialized Hamburg police unit.
Information from the German intelligence services and federal police was “crucial” to the investigation, the statement said.
Prosecutors have ordered a psychiatric evaluation of the suspect while the investigation continues.
The teenager is also suspected of “financing terrorism,” although it is not clear exactly what form this took.
Germany has been on high alert for attacks after several deadly incidents in recent years, some motivated by extremist ideology, others carried out by people found to have psychological problems.