Teen planned to bomb Israeli embassy in Berlin

Listen To Story Above

German authorities apprehended a young Russian immigrant at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, thwarting what officials believe was a planned attack on the Israeli embassy. The suspect, an 18-year-old of Chechen descent, faces charges related to preparing acts of violence that threatened state security.

Police sources informed Die Welt that investigators are exploring both political and Islamist motivations behind the planned attack. The suspect, known only as ‘Akhmad I.’ due to German privacy regulations, was reportedly attempting to travel to Somalia via Turkey and Saudi Arabia to join Islamic State forces.

One of the attacks was a stabbing blamed on an Afghan immigrant, which prompted a fraught debate on immigration.

Earlier on Friday, an 18-year-old ethnic Chechen was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin, Bild reported.

— C. Ponce de León🎗️ (@PoncedeLeon_Isr) February 22, 2025

Investigators believe Akhmad I. belonged to a radical cell comprising three individuals of Russian heritage. His two alleged associates had previously departed for Somalia, according to authorities.

Details revealed by Bild indicate that the suspect had discussed various attack scenarios through encrypted communications. His initial strategy allegedly involved sending explosive devices to the embassy, with a backup plan to conduct a knife assault on the facility.

Law enforcement officials report that while the suspect attempted to obtain explosives within Germany unsuccessfully, the attack plans hadn’t progressed to final stages. They believe his intended travel abroad was meant to secure weapons training with Islamic State affiliates in Africa before returning to execute the attack.

18-year-old Chechen was arrested for planning attack on Israeli Embassy in #Berlin
-Israeli facilities have increasingly become targets of plots/attacks in #Germany
-In Sep. 2024 an 18-year-old attacked police near the Israeli Consulate in #Munich https://t.co/CCndu3Lnb0

— Adrian Shtuni (@Shtuni) February 21, 2025

The suspect, who has no prior criminal record, originates from Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region within the Russian Federation located near the Caspian and Black Seas. The area has a history of terrorist activities, with Chechen extremists responsible for numerous attacks across Russia.

The Israeli embassy in Berlin has become increasingly targeted by extremists. Recent incidents include the arrest of a Libyan immigrant over alleged terror plans and an attack on Munich’s Israeli consulate by an individual of Bosnian descent earlier this year.