German army officer pretended to be Syrian refugee, planned terrorist attack

Prosecutors claim it was an attempt to fuel the public's resentment against refugees and asylum seekers

A German army officer pretended to be a Syrian refugee and planned to carry out an attack in an attempt to fuel resentment against asylum seekers, claimed state prosecutors.

According to prosecutors in charge of the case, the man registered as a Syrian refugee at the end of 2015 claimed asylum in Bavaria. He was assigned a place in a refugee shelter and also received monthly benefits.



The 28-year-old was stationed in France but arrested when undergoing training in Southern Germany. He currently faces charges of plotting a terrorist attack, fraud and violation of gun laws. He had been detained temporarily by Austrian authorities in January after attempting to retrieve a loaded gun he had hidden in a restroom at Vienna airport.

Frankfurt police spokesperson Nadja Niesen said the case was 'curious'. The man did not have any Arabic language skills, she said further. "Why this went unnoticed, I'm unable to say,” Niesen said.

Defense ministry spokesperson told The Washington Post they were aware of the incident but declined to comment further.

A 24-year-old student was also detained on the same day, after several raids in Germany, France and Austria. He is suspected of being an accomplice to the 28-year-old. Weapons and explosives were found at the 24-year-old's house.

According to Niesen, both men exchanged conversation which revealed a 'xenophobic attitude.'



"These findings, and indications of a xenophobic background of the Bundeswehr soldier, suggest that the accused was planning a serious crime endangering state security with the weapon that was earlier deposited at Vienna airport," said the statement.

Investigators assume the men might have plotted to carry out an attack to fuel the public's resentment against refugees and asylum seekers.

This story originally appeared on The Washington Post