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Ansbach bombing: attacker pledged allegiance to Isis, says official – latest news Ansbach bombing: attacker pledged allegiance to Isis, says official – as it happened
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Live coverage of the aftermath of the attack is now ending. Our latest news story is below.
Related: Ansbach bomber pledged allegiance to Isis leader, says official
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Isis news agency claims attackIsis news agency claims attack
The Isis-linked Amaq news agency has claimed the Ansbach attack for the terror group.The Isis-linked Amaq news agency has claimed the Ansbach attack for the terror group.
It quoted an “insider source” as saying Sunday’s attacker “was a soldier of the Islamic State” who had acted “in response to calls to target nations in the coalition fighting” Isis.It quoted an “insider source” as saying Sunday’s attacker “was a soldier of the Islamic State” who had acted “in response to calls to target nations in the coalition fighting” Isis.
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Reuters has more on the video:Reuters has more on the video:
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said that a video in Arabic found on the mobile phone of the Syrian who set off a bomb in the Bavarian town of Ansbach showed that it was a terrorist attack. Bavarian interior minister Joachim Herrmann said that a video in Arabic found on the mobile phone of the Syrian who set off a bomb in the Bavarian town of Ansbach showed that it was a terrorist attack.
“A provisional translation by an interpreter shows that he expressly announces, in the name of Allah, and testifying his allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a famous Islamist leader, an act of revenge against the Germans because they’re getting in the way of Islam,” he said at a news conference.“A provisional translation by an interpreter shows that he expressly announces, in the name of Allah, and testifying his allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a famous Islamist leader, an act of revenge against the Germans because they’re getting in the way of Islam,” he said at a news conference.
Herrmann added: “I think that after this video there’s no doubt that the attack was a terrorist attack with an Islamist background.”Herrmann added: “I think that after this video there’s no doubt that the attack was a terrorist attack with an Islamist background.”
Following news of video there has chatter on Islamic State channels suggesting the bomber was following its instructions, according to Michael S Smith, a member of the US congressional taskforce on terrorism and unconventional warfare. Following news of the video there has been chatter on Islamic State channels suggesting the bomber was following its instructions, according to Michael S Smith, a member of the US congressional taskforce on terrorism and unconventional warfare.
#GERMANY #ANSBACH Posts on IS Telegram network highlight the terrorist followed instructions in Dabiq, Is 4 Oct 2014 pic.twitter.com/Qq5NuWufWh#GERMANY #ANSBACH Posts on IS Telegram network highlight the terrorist followed instructions in Dabiq, Is 4 Oct 2014 pic.twitter.com/Qq5NuWufWh
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Here’s what we know so far.Here’s what we know so far.
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According to an initial translation of the Arabic-language video found on the suspect’s phone, the Ansbach attack was described as “revenge” against Germany.According to an initial translation of the Arabic-language video found on the suspect’s phone, the Ansbach attack was described as “revenge” against Germany.
Bavaria’s interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, added that officers discovered videos with “Salafist content” on storage devices seized at the 27-year-old Syrian man’s home.Bavaria’s interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, added that officers discovered videos with “Salafist content” on storage devices seized at the 27-year-old Syrian man’s home.
Police also found petrol, chemicals and other material that could be used to make a bomb.Police also found petrol, chemicals and other material that could be used to make a bomb.
He said there was no evidence yet of any links to extremist organisations but that the evidence found suggested an Islamic extremist motivation.He said there was no evidence yet of any links to extremist organisations but that the evidence found suggested an Islamic extremist motivation.
The unnamed Syrian was the only person killed in the blast. More than a dozen people were wounded.The unnamed Syrian was the only person killed in the blast. More than a dozen people were wounded.
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De Maizière did not mention any video showing the Ansbach bomber pledging allegiance to Islamic State. But he did say Germany will boost its police presence at airports and train stations and carry out stop and search operations close to border areas after four violent attacks in less than a week.De Maizière did not mention any video showing the Ansbach bomber pledging allegiance to Islamic State. But he did say Germany will boost its police presence at airports and train stations and carry out stop and search operations close to border areas after four violent attacks in less than a week.
“What seems particularly important to me at the moment is an increased police presence in public spaces,” De Maizière told a news conference in Berlin.“What seems particularly important to me at the moment is an increased police presence in public spaces,” De Maizière told a news conference in Berlin.
“I have therefore ordered that the federal police visibly increase their presence at airports and railways stations and that there are random checks, which are not visible but very effective, in border areas,” he said.“I have therefore ordered that the federal police visibly increase their presence at airports and railways stations and that there are random checks, which are not visible but very effective, in border areas,” he said.
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Ansbach bomber 'pledged allegiance to Islamic State'Ansbach bomber 'pledged allegiance to Islamic State'
Bavaria’s top security official says a video has been found on the Ansbach bomber’s phone showing him pledging allegiance to the leader of Islamic State, AP reports.Bavaria’s top security official says a video has been found on the Ansbach bomber’s phone showing him pledging allegiance to the leader of Islamic State, AP reports.
Joachim Herrmann says that according to an initial translation of the Arabic-language video the 27-year-old man announced a revenge attack against Germany.Joachim Herrmann says that according to an initial translation of the Arabic-language video the 27-year-old man announced a revenge attack against Germany.
Herrmann told reporters on Monday that the video strongly suggests the bombing was a terrorist attack.Herrmann told reporters on Monday that the video strongly suggests the bombing was a terrorist attack.
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Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
One of the most interesting points to take from interior minister Thomas de Maizière’s press conference was his defence of Angela Merkel’s refugee policy.One of the most interesting points to take from interior minister Thomas de Maizière’s press conference was his defence of Angela Merkel’s refugee policy.
He was asked whether the attacks were proof that Merkel’s policy was wrong or showed her slogan “we can manage it” was too optimistic. He pointed out that none of the attackers so far named – in Würzburg, Munich, Reutlingen or Ansbach – were among the refugees who arrived last autumn after Merkel’s declaration that Germany’s doors were open to those in need.He was asked whether the attacks were proof that Merkel’s policy was wrong or showed her slogan “we can manage it” was too optimistic. He pointed out that none of the attackers so far named – in Würzburg, Munich, Reutlingen or Ansbach – were among the refugees who arrived last autumn after Merkel’s declaration that Germany’s doors were open to those in need.
Therefore her policy could not be held responsible, De Maizière said.Therefore her policy could not be held responsible, De Maizière said.
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De Maizière said: “Both these acts of violence (the Ansbach bombing and Reutlingen machete attack) have shaken us. I would like to commiserate with the relatives, with those who are injured. They have our sympathy and I hope they will recover soon and fully.”De Maizière said: “Both these acts of violence (the Ansbach bombing and Reutlingen machete attack) have shaken us. I would like to commiserate with the relatives, with those who are injured. They have our sympathy and I hope they will recover soon and fully.”
He gave this detail about the Ansbach attacker’s asylum status (the translation is by Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle):He gave this detail about the Ansbach attacker’s asylum status (the translation is by Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle):
“The Ansbach perpetrator was a 27-year-old refugee from Syria who arrived in Germany two years ago. In August 2014 he requested asylum.“The Ansbach perpetrator was a 27-year-old refugee from Syria who arrived in Germany two years ago. In August 2014 he requested asylum.
“As part of the asylum procedure there were indications he had already been registered as a refugee in other European countries. An application had been registered in Bulgaria and Austria. We contacted the Bulgarian authorities who informed us that the perpetrator had been afforded refugee status. As a result, on 2 December 2014, the asylum application of the perpetrator was refused, and deportation to Bulgaria ordered. The court in Ansbach reaffirmed this decision.“As part of the asylum procedure there were indications he had already been registered as a refugee in other European countries. An application had been registered in Bulgaria and Austria. We contacted the Bulgarian authorities who informed us that the perpetrator had been afforded refugee status. As a result, on 2 December 2014, the asylum application of the perpetrator was refused, and deportation to Bulgaria ordered. The court in Ansbach reaffirmed this decision.
“Following that court ruling, medical certificates were submitted proving that the person in question suffered from psychological instability. As a result the deportation order was suspended. On 13 July this year the deportation was again started, and deportation to Bulgaria was threatened and duly served.“Following that court ruling, medical certificates were submitted proving that the person in question suffered from psychological instability. As a result the deportation order was suspended. On 13 July this year the deportation was again started, and deportation to Bulgaria was threatened and duly served.
“The perpetrator is said to have twice attempted to commit suicide which is why he spent some time in a psychiatric hospital.”“The perpetrator is said to have twice attempted to commit suicide which is why he spent some time in a psychiatric hospital.”
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“Unstable people are vulnerable to radicalisation,” De Maizière says according to a BBC translation of his press conference.“Unstable people are vulnerable to radicalisation,” De Maizière says according to a BBC translation of his press conference.
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Possible links with Islamic State cannot be excluded from the investigation, De Maizière says. But the attacker’s mental health may also have been a factor, he said. Both things could also have contributed, he said. But he pointed out that the investigation is at the early stages.Possible links with Islamic State cannot be excluded from the investigation, De Maizière says. But the attacker’s mental health may also have been a factor, he said. Both things could also have contributed, he said. But he pointed out that the investigation is at the early stages.
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De Maizière says the Ansbach attacker had been given refugee status in Bulgaria which is why his application in Germany was refused. A deportation order was suspended because of the suspect’s mental health problems.De Maizière says the Ansbach attacker had been given refugee status in Bulgaria which is why his application in Germany was refused. A deportation order was suspended because of the suspect’s mental health problems.
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Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, is due to give a press statement any moment soon.Germany’s interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, is due to give a press statement any moment soon.
Statement von #deMaizière @BMI_Bund @CDU zu Gewalttaten #Ansbach #Reutlingen - in wenigen Minuten live in #vorOrt pic.twitter.com/Rtbo2MzaIuStatement von #deMaizière @BMI_Bund @CDU zu Gewalttaten #Ansbach #Reutlingen - in wenigen Minuten live in #vorOrt pic.twitter.com/Rtbo2MzaIu
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Analyst Michael S Smith, a member of the US congressional taskforce on terrorism and unconventional warfare, confirms there has been no claim of responsibility from Islamic State channels for the Ansbach attack.Analyst Michael S Smith, a member of the US congressional taskforce on terrorism and unconventional warfare, confirms there has been no claim of responsibility from Islamic State channels for the Ansbach attack.
TRACKING UPDATE No claim of responsibility for #ANSBACH attack posted in any of IS's official Telegram channels. pic.twitter.com/c4LS8kGa3bTRACKING UPDATE No claim of responsibility for #ANSBACH attack posted in any of IS's official Telegram channels. pic.twitter.com/c4LS8kGa3b
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Hans-Olaf Henkel, an MEP for the centre right Alliance for Progress and Renewal party, criticised Angela Merkel’s open refugee policy following a week of violence in Germany.Hans-Olaf Henkel, an MEP for the centre right Alliance for Progress and Renewal party, criticised Angela Merkel’s open refugee policy following a week of violence in Germany.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, he said: “This welcome policy of Frau Merkel has definitely incited thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people to take this risky route, from rather safe camps to come to Europe in the first place. So she must be blamed for the fact that a lot of refugees came because they got the impression that they were welcome by Germany.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, he said: “This welcome policy of Frau Merkel has definitely incited thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people to take this risky route, from rather safe camps to come to Europe in the first place. So she must be blamed for the fact that a lot of refugees came because they got the impression that they were welcome by Germany.
“This policy has clearly divided Europe. There is not a single head of state or government in Europe who follows the policy of Frau Merkel.”“This policy has clearly divided Europe. There is not a single head of state or government in Europe who follows the policy of Frau Merkel.”
Henkel claimed Merkel’s policy had contributed to the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. He said: “I followed the Brexit discussion in the UK and I noticed in the last couple of weeks of the debate, the discussion about immigrants got really in the forefront. I have noted that [Nigel] Farage and [Boris] Johnson could make a point by saying ‘look, these refugees, which Germany now takes, will be integrated and once they have a German passport they can show up in London’. I was against Brexit but I’m afraid Frau Merkel’s policy had something to do with the result of the Brexit referendum.”Henkel claimed Merkel’s policy had contributed to the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. He said: “I followed the Brexit discussion in the UK and I noticed in the last couple of weeks of the debate, the discussion about immigrants got really in the forefront. I have noted that [Nigel] Farage and [Boris] Johnson could make a point by saying ‘look, these refugees, which Germany now takes, will be integrated and once they have a German passport they can show up in London’. I was against Brexit but I’m afraid Frau Merkel’s policy had something to do with the result of the Brexit referendum.”
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