Government accused of covering up Berlin terror attack

BERLIN (AA) - German authorities tried to cover up a 2016 terror attack in Berlin by hastily deporting a key suspect, weekly Focus claimed Friday.

Bilel Ben Ammar, a Tunisian citizen who had close contacts with attacker Anis Amri, was deported to Tunisia in February 2017, despite being suspected of involvement in the attack, the weekly reported.

Ammar was working for the Morocco’s intelligence service, DGST, which earlier informed German intelligence about Amri’s plans for terror attacks, the weekly magazine also claimed.

Amri, 24, from Tunisia, hijacked a truck and drove it into a Christmas market in central Berlin on Dec, 19, 2016, killing 12 people and injuring more than 60 others.

Focus claimed Ammar met Amri a day before the attack and was also seen at the Christmas market on Dec. 19.

In a video he recorded before the attack, Amri pledged allegiance to the Daesh terror group. On Dec. 23, he was killed in a shootout by police in Italy.

German Interior Ministry spokesperson told reporters that Interior Minister Horst Seehofer first heard of the allegations Friday and ordered a probe into Ammar’s deportation.

Opposition lawmakers asked parliament’s investigation committee to question key suspect Bilel Ben Ammar.

Local media reported Ammar’s whereabouts were unknown but he was believed to be in prison.