Hamburg, May 12 – A 17-year-old Syrian has been arrested in Hamburg on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. According to the Hamburg Interior Ministry, the teenager arrived in Germany in 2022 and has been legally residing in Hamburg.
Suspect entered Germany in 2022 through family reunification
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry confirmed to NDR that the 17-year-old entered Germany from Turkey in April 2022 as part of a family reunification program, accompanied by his mother. He was subsequently registered in Hamburg and lived with his parents in a shared apartment until his arrest last Thursday.
Teenager acquired explosive materials
The suspect is believed to have planned a bomb attack and is now in pre-trial detention at the Hahnöfersand correctional facility near Jork in Lower Saxony. The extent of the attack plans remains unclear. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the teenager intended to kill an unspecified number of “infidels” in a shopping center, a bar, or a police station in Hamburg. Apparently, he had not yet decided on a specific target.
However, the 17-year-old had already acquired universal fertilizer and liquid barbecue lighter fluid. These substances can be used to produce explosives and Molotov cocktails. He had also obtained a balaclava and a knife.
Arrest made last Thursday by special police forces
Special forces of the Hamburg police arrested the suspect last Thursday in Hamburg. The items apparently acquired for a bomb attack were seized during a search of his apartment.
According to current findings from the public prosecutor’s office, the teenager was inspired to carry out the potential attack by the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). The Attorney General’s Office assumes that the man planned his act alone.
Suspect known to police, psychiatric evaluation ordered
At the beginning of last week, the Federal Intelligence Service received a tip about the alleged plans of the 17-year-old. According to NDR information, the suspect had previously attracted attention in Telegram messenger groups.
The teenager was known to the authorities. He had already been investigated for allegedly using IS symbols. The Hamburg Attorney General’s Office had already arranged for a psychiatric evaluation of the accused in another investigation.
This topic was broadcast on: NDR 90,3 | NDR 90,3 Aktuell | 12.05.2026 | 4:00 PM and NDR Fernsehen | Hamburg Journal | 11.05.2026 | 7:30 PM.
