The security services of Austria, Germany and Spain have indications that an Islamic group wanted to carry out several attacks in Europe
Many European cities are on heightened alert for terrorist attacks, following the massacre at Charles University in the heart of Prague.
German police raided Cologne Cathedral, reportedly making at least one arrest.
"Although the information concerns New Year's Eve, we will take care of the safety of visitors to the cathedral in the run-up to Christmas from tonight," Cologne police chief Michael Esher said.
After the evening service, the site was searched by trained dogs. "On Sunday, all visitors will be screened before entering the place of worship," police said, advising worshipers to arrive early and not to bring bags.
German newspaper Bild reported on its website that the security services of Austria, Germany and Spain have indications that an Islamic group wanted to carry out several attacks in Europe, possibly on New Year's Eve and Christmas. According to this source, the targets may be churches in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid.
It is noted that the special forces of the police in Vienna also made arrests.
The French authorities are also on alert
In eastern France, five people were arrested and taken into custody as part of an investigation by the country's intelligence services into the formation of a terrorist criminal organization.
The arrests took place on Friday morning (12/22) in the Mert-et-Moselle region, Nancy and the nearby communes of Vandevere-le-Nancy and Toul.
Earlier, the country's interior minister, Gerald Darmanen, had called on local authorities to be vigilant ahead of the Christmas and Epiphany holidays, due to "the very high risk of a terrorist threat".
It is recalled that the French authorities have activated the alarm for a possible terrorist threat since October, after the murder of Dominique Bernard, a French language teacher at the Arras high school, by a radicalized former student.
This activation of the alarm is also due to the international context, due to the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Source: IN