German police arrest two suspected terrorists

German police arrest two suspected terrorists

2011-09-08 21:07:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- German police arrested two suspected terrorists on Thursday after thwarting a suspected bomb plot, just days before the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, officials said.

Police captured two men - a 24-year-old German national of Lebanese descent and another German, 28 years old, and of Palestinian background - in the German capital of Berlin on suspicion of planning a terror attack, The Local reported.

According to a police spokesman, the two men had been gathering large quantities of chemicals such as coolant and acid used in agriculture. Authorities believe the suspects were planning to mix the substances to create an explosive device, similar to the 500-kilogram (1100 pounds) bomb used in July's attack in Oslo that killed eight people.

An Islamic cultural center in the northern part of Berlin is currently being investigated as both men would regularly gather there and frequently spend nights at the center. In addition, the men's Wedding district apartments, located in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, are also being searched for further evidence.

German chemical companies in Berlin and Baden-Württemberg had previously alerted police of suspicious orders of chemical substances. Authorities then began keeping a close eye on the two men until they believed enough evidence was gathered to warrant their arrests.

The ten year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack against the United States will be marked this Sunday, while Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Germany later this month. Police are not sure whether the suspected terrorist plot is related to these dates, but they have not ruled them out either.

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