Investigation of a boy in Cologne for propaganda for ISIS
The German police in the city of Cologne are investigating a 14-year-old boy suspected of spreading propaganda for the Islamic State (ISIS) online. According to initial information, the home of his parents was raided on Friday morning after signs of extremist activity emerged.
The newspaper "Bild" and the German news agency reported that there are potential plans to carry out an attack on the Christmas market in Cologne, but the public prosecutor's office officially denied this. The prosecutor's office also confirmed that the boy was not in police custody, despite this information circulating initially.
The public prosecutor in Cologne, Ulrich Bremer, clarified that the investigations revolve around the boy's posting of symbols and videos related to ISIS, but he emphasized that this does not involve suspicion of carrying out an attack, and there are no indications that the boy is an actual member of the organization.
Nevertheless, a source from the security circles told WDR that the boy actually spoke about potential plans for an attack, which included specifying locations and times, along with his intention to travel outside Germany. It is not yet known whether these statements reflect mere teenage fantasy or actual intentions.
The Minister of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, expressed his shock in an initial statement, saying, "It is horrifying that a boy of this age glorifies ISIS propaganda and shares ideas about carrying out attacks." However, he later backtracked in a press conference, confirming that there is no confirmed information regarding plans for an attack.
According to the prosecution, the boy voluntarily came to the police station, where his identity was verified, without being arrested or officially detained.