(VOVWORLD) - Seven people, including four suspected Hamas members, were arrested in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands on suspicion of plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe, authorities of the three countries said Thursday.
 German police on guard in the capital city of Berlin on November 9, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Three of the suspects were detained in Berlin and another in the Netherlands, said German prosecutors in a statement, adding that all four were longstanding members of Hamas with close links to the militant groups’ leadership. A Hamas official, however, has denied the suspects’ connection to the group.
The arrests were made as Israel pressed on with its operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said that Germany will do everything it can to ensure that its Jewish population do not have to fear for their safety.
Meanwhile, those arrested in Denmark would be charged under the terrorism clause of the criminal code and put in front of a judge for preliminary questioning, police said.
Thursday’s raids followed investigations revealing a network of people preparing a terrorist attack, they said, adding that police’s public presence will be increased in the coming days, in particular in Copenhagen and around Jewish localities.