NCJ Number
192022
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 13 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 15-17
Date Published
November 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The use of Germany as a key staging post for Islamist terrorists has prompted a huge investigation by German intelligence services and a reordering of the country's security priorities.
Abstract
As the criminal investigation surrounding the events of September 11 gained momentum, German authorities became aware, as a result of information passed on by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that a number of the hijackers had lived in Germany prior to moving to the United States for flight training. Two of the suicide pilots lived in an apartment in Hamburg until June 2000. Marwan Jussuf Mohammed al-Shahi and Mohammed Atta constituted the core of the cell, and their supporters and co-conspirators often visited their apartment. Both Atta and al-Shahi had connections with a Syrian businessman, Mamum Darkasanli, who had authority to operate a bank account in Germany in the name of a man who was, according to U.S. sources, head of finance for Al-Qaeda. In light of these discoveries, the Federal Interior Minister began a systematic investigation. University records were given particular emphasis, since there are 50,00 students from various Islamic countries in Germany. So far, 32 suspect apartments have been searched, and 100 people have been questioned. The first result of these investigations was the discovery of a terrorist cell in Nordenstadt near Wiesbaden in Hessen. Three men were arrested in an apartment that contained detailed maps of Major German cities. They also recovered a loaded weapon, cash, an air ticket, forged passports, credit cards, and driving licenses. The precise intentions and connection to Al-Qaeda of the suspects have not been determined. According to the Interior minister of North-Rhine Westfalia, German intelligence services estimate that there are approximately 100 sleeper agents in Germany who were trained in Afghanistan to carry out terrorist attacks. The potential for attacks in Germany was indicated on October 11 when various letters were received with indications that they contained anthrax spores and claiming that the jihad had begun. The authorities believe that the letters did not contain any anthrax spores, but the investigation is not yet complete.