According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency quoting Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that shortly before Christmas, German police increased security measures at Cologne Cathedral after discovering signs of a possible terrorist attack by an extremist group. Police officers searched the cathedral with sniffer dogs on Saturday evening and announced that they will check all visitors on Christmas Eve.

Police in Vienna, Austria increased its protection and security measures. According to information from the German news agency, security officials had indications that a church in Vienna was also a possible target of this group’s attacks. The German newspaper Bild reported about this earlier.

Cologne police want to comment on the investigation carried out in this regard in general on Sunday morning. slow At the same time, it was said that due to the continuation of the investigation, this institution will not comment on the details.

According to the information of the German news agency, this group may be with the terrorist group. Extremism known as (ISPK) has to be related. According to Bild, the first arrests were made by special forces in Vienna and one in Germany on Saturday. The Department of State Security and Intelligence at the Austrian Ministry of the Interior declined to comment on the possible arrests. “We ask you to understand that we do not comment on ongoing investigations,” a spokesman said late Saturday evening in Vienna. “text-align:justify”>In this situation, church worshipers in Cologne Cathedral and tourists should prepare themselves for increased security standards in the next few days. On Christmas Eve, all visitors are subject to pre-arranged inspections. The police and the cathedral department advised visitors not to carry bags and to go to the ceremony early. The State Security Agency, which is active in politically motivated crimes, has launched an investigation into the matter.

According to Michael Esser, head of the Cologne Criminal Police, in coordination with the officer The security department of the cathedral will search the church with sniffer dogs after the Mass and then lock it.

According to requests for terrorist attacks Against Christian events across Europe, especially on Christmas Eve, security authorities in Austria have also increased their security measures.

Vienna police announced on Saturday. that the risk status is generally increased over the Christmas holidays due to the current risk assessment by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. According to the security agency, as a preventive measure, more surveillance will be increased in high-risk places in Vienna and the federal states, including churches and Christmas markets.

Depending on the need, access controls can also be done. Visitors to church events and services are asked to bring a photo ID and plan to stay longer than usual, the statement said.

Police It explained that the terror alert level in Austria remains high. According to this organization, the additional preventive measures are to maintain public safety in Austria.

In this way, German and Austrian security authorities have sounded the alarm.

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