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24-year-old German arrested on suspicion of IS membership

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

A 24-year-old German suspected of joining the Islamic State (IS) in Syria has been arrested, German television ARD reported on Sunday.

Prosecutors were quoted as saying that the suspect, arrested on Saturday in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, was "strongly suspected to have joined the terrorist organization", but has not been accused of involvement in any specific attacks.

The suspect allegedly arrived in Syria in October 2013, and was a member of the IS group at least until he returned home in November last year.

Prosecutors denied link with the recent attacks in France, saying investigation was already launched against him at the beginning of the year on suspicion of "preparing for a serious act of violent subversion."

German officials estimated that hundreds of German citizens had made their way to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the IS, raising fears of attacks on home soil when they return.

Media pointed out that Saturday's arrest took place following indications for more possible attacks in European countries.

Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported earlier Sunday that the bloodshed in Paris could signal the start of a wave of terror attacks in Europe, citing communications by IS leaders intercepted by U.S. intelligence services shortly after the Paris attacks. Endit