AG百家乐在线官网

Germany: Police launch raids after 'threats to kill officials over COVID measures'

Five properties in Dresden and one in the nearby town of Heidenau are searched in an investigation of suspected preparations for a serious act of violence, police say.

Wednesday 15 December 2021 11:49, UK

Police leaves a building during raids in several locations in Dresden, Germany, December 15, 2021, as part of an investigation into what they said was a plot to murder the state's prime minister, Michael Kretschmer, by anti-vaccination activists. The searches in the city of Dresden targeted individual members of a group on the messaging program Telegram, where plans for the killing were discussed in connection with the state government's coronavirus curbs, police said.
Image: Police leave a building during raids in several locations in Dresden
Why you can trust Sky News

Police in Germany have carried out raids as part of an investigation into alleged threats to kill a state governor and others by opponents of COVID measures.

Five properties in Dresden and one in the nearby town of Heidenau were being searched during the probe into suspected preparations for a serious act of violence, police said.

Police in front of a vehicle during raids in several locations in Dresden, Germany, December 15, 2021, as part of an investigation into what they said was a plot to murder the state's prime minister, Michael Kretschmer, by anti-vaccination activists. The searches in the city of Dresden targeted individual members of a group on the messaging program Telegram, where plans for the killing were discussed in connection with the state government's coronavirus curbs, police said.
Image: Police in front of a vehicle during the raids

The investigation was triggered by German broadcaster ZDF's report last week that a group on messenger service Telegram had discussed plans to kill Saxony's state governor, Michael Kretschmer, and other members of the state government.

The broadcaster reported that some members had commented on the group claiming to possess weapons including crossbows.

Dresden, the capital of Saxony, has seen frequent protests against coronavirus policy and has Germany's lowest vaccination rate.

According to the report, the group's 103 members shared a rejection of vaccinations and the current coronavirus policy.

It featured audio messages in which people urged opposing policy measures "with armed force if necessary," directed against Kretschmer and others.

A police vehicle is parked in front of a building during raids in several locations in Dresden, Germany, December 15, 2021, as part of an investigation into what they said was a plot to murder the state's prime minister, Michael Kretschmer, by anti-vaccination activists. The searches in the city of Dresden targeted individual members of a group on the messaging program Telegram, where plans for the killing were discussed in connection with the state government's coronavirus curbs, police said.
Image: A police vehicle is parked in front of a building during the raids

Police said comments by some members on their alleged possession of weapons and crossbows were part of the investigation.

Related Topics