‘Target Euros’ call by Moscow terror group
Jihadists eye host stadiums
A TERROR group linked to Islamic State is targeting German cities ahead of the European Championship.
Berlin, Dortmund and Munich – host cities at the football tournament, which kicks off next month – were listed in a montage made by the IS-Khorasan group.
The jihadist faction was linked to a mass shooting and firebomb attack on the Crocus City Hall venue in Moscow on March 22, which killed 145 people.
Magazine “Voice of Khorasan” published an image of a fighter in camouflage with a machine gun in an empty stadium. The text reads: “Where do you want?” and: “Then score the last goal.”
Berlin’s Olympic Stadium will host six games in the tournament, including the final on July 14. Munich’s Allianz Arena is the venue for the curtain-raiser between Germany and Scotland on June 14 and five more games, while Dortmund’s BVB Stadium also hosts six games, including the second semi-final.
Stefan Bisanz, managing director of security firm Consulting Plus, said: “Berlin has been named as a target before. It stirs up fear among fans. These terrorist groups are using these pronouncements to radicalise people all over the world.”
Christian Democrat conservative politician Christoph de Vries said: “Our security authorities are prepared and there is an intensive international exchange.”
German officials believe Islamic State has a network of more than 100 agents in western Europe, with 50 in Germany.