German security forces have made a significant arrest, detaining a suspected member of the Hamas militant group who is alleged to have acquired an arsenal of weapons for planned attacks on Jewish institutions.
Motorway Arrest and Alleged Weapons Procurement
Lebanese-born Borhan El-K was apprehended on a German motorway on the night of Tuesday, 12th November 2024, immediately after he crossed into the country from the Czech Republic. According to a detailed statement from the German federal prosecutor's office, the suspect's activities had been under surveillance for some time.
The prosecutor's office alleges that in August, El-K was responsible for procuring a dangerous cache of weapons within Germany. This arsenal included an automatic rifle, eight Glock pistols, and more than 600 rounds of ammunition. The weapons were then allegedly handed over to another individual, Wael FM, a fellow suspected Hamas member, in the German capital of Berlin.
Coordinated Arrests and Wider Network
Wael FM was arrested with the weapons on 1st October, alongside two other men identified as Adeb Al G and Ahmad I. The arrests of this initial trio are believed to have occurred as they met for the handover of the firearms. The full names of the men have not been publicly released, in accordance with German privacy laws.
All three have been charged with membership in a foreign terrorist organisation and with preparing a serious act of violence that endangered the German state. Authorities state that the group had been actively gathering supplies since the summer.
In a statement, the federal prosecutor's office was unequivocal about the intended target, stating, "The weapons were intended for use by Hamas in assassination attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany." The timing of the initial October arrests was particularly poignant, coming just one day before Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
International Connections and Ongoing Investigations
The investigation has taken on an international dimension. On 3rd November, another alleged member of the group, Mohammed A, was arrested in London at the request of German police. He stands accused of transporting five handguns and ammunition from Abed Al G to Vienna, where they were stored.
Furthermore, following Borhan El-K's arrest, Danish police conducted searches of premises linked to him and another suspect in and around Copenhagen. El-K was due to appear before a judge to face the charges against him.
It is noteworthy that Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union, has previously denied any connection to the men, labelling the allegations as "baseless." This case echoes a separate trial that began in Berlin in February, where four other suspected Hamas members are accused of plotting attacks on Jewish sites across Europe.
