Germany: Syrian suspect arrested over 'planned attack'

BERLIN (AA) - Police arrested on Tuesday a 19-year-old Syrian man in the northern city of Schwerin suspected of having "planned" a terrorist "attack" in Germany.

The federal prosecutor's office said Yamen A. allegedly purchased chemicals and electronic components recently which could be used to build a bomb and communicated with a person via internet who described himself as a Daesh soldier.

“We do not know for the time being who this person is, and whether he has encouraged the suspect for his plans,” Federal Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Frauke Kohler told a press conference in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe.

According to the spokeswoman, the suspect apparently recently attempted to learn ways to build a bomb using the explosive TATP, also known as the triacetone triperoxide, and purchased various chemicals to make such a bomb.

The suspect had been put under surveillance by the country’s security agencies, she added.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has praised coordination among German security agencies, the BfV and Federal Criminal Police Office.

“They had averted a major terrorist attack,” he said.