14 Arrested in Denmark, Germany for Planning Terror Attack

Danish police are seen entering an apartment as part of an operation against ISIS recruits, in Tingbjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark, Apr. 7, 2016. AP file photo
Danish police are seen entering an apartment as part of an operation against ISIS recruits, in Tingbjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark, Apr. 7, 2016. AP file photo
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14 Arrested in Denmark, Germany for Planning Terror Attack

Danish police are seen entering an apartment as part of an operation against ISIS recruits, in Tingbjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark, Apr. 7, 2016. AP file photo
Danish police are seen entering an apartment as part of an operation against ISIS recruits, in Tingbjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark, Apr. 7, 2016. AP file photo

The number of people arrested in Denmark and Germany over an alleged terror attack plot rose to 14 on Friday with six more people placed in pre-trial detention.

All but one of the suspects were arrested in Denmark. Three of them were Syrian nationals, aged 33, 36 and 40, who were arrested last weekend.

Authorities in Germany and Denmark initially on Thursday announced eight arrests, and on Friday, another six people were held, police said.

All the detention hearings in Denmark were held behind so-called double closed doors, meaning the case is shrouded in secrecy and few details are made public.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service, known by its acronym PET, said Thursday that the people arrested in Denmark were suspected “of having acquired ingredients and components for the manufacture of explosives, as well as weapons, or having participated in this.”

The persons' identities and other nationalities were not made public.

Earlier, German authorities had announced the first three arrests — two in Denmark and one in Germany. They said the suspects were alleged to have purchased several kilograms of chemicals in January that could be used to manufacture explosives.

A search of a residence in the city of Dessau-Rosslau, between Naumburg and Berlin, turned up 10 kilograms of black powder, and fuses, the German prosecutor said. More chemicals were seized in Denmark.

PET said those arrested in Denmark are suspected of “having planned one or more terrorist attacks or participated in attempted terrorism." It did not say where such an attack would take place.

Danish media said that several women were among the detainees.



Iran: No Deal Without Tangible Sanctions Relief, Guarantees

Two Omani security officers monitor a motorcade believed to be carrying US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat on April 12. (AP)
Two Omani security officers monitor a motorcade believed to be carrying US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat on April 12. (AP)
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Iran: No Deal Without Tangible Sanctions Relief, Guarantees

Two Omani security officers monitor a motorcade believed to be carrying US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat on April 12. (AP)
Two Omani security officers monitor a motorcade believed to be carrying US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat on April 12. (AP)

Iran has accused Israel of actively working to undermine ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington over its nuclear program. The talks, mediated by Oman, have centered on Iran’s key demand: effective sanctions relief and concrete guarantees from the United States.

At the same time, Iranian officials warned European powers against triggering the “snapback” sanctions mechanism, calling it a threat to the negotiation track Iran is attempting to strengthen with Washington.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States has held productive discussions with Iran but acknowledged that more time is needed. His comments followed the conclusion of the second round of indirect talks between the two sides, which took place in Rome.

Both countries agreed to work toward a framework for a potential nuclear agreement and described the talks as having made progress. Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord during his first term in 2018, has warned that the US could support military action if Iran does not agree to a new deal aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.

In their second indirect exchange within a week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held nearly four hours of talks in Rome with Steve Witkoff, the US president’s Middle East envoy. The messages were relayed through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is playing a key mediation role.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated his country’s stance, stating that Tehran is ready to reach an agreement within a clear framework that preserves national interests. However, he added that if the negotiations are not conducted on equal terms, Iran will continue along its own path, consistent with the position expressed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that an emerging alliance appears intent on disrupting the diplomatic process. He said Israel is at the center of these efforts and claimed that several provocative elements in the United States, including certain political figures, are also working against a deal.

The New York Times reported last week that Trump had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in the short term to allow diplomatic efforts to continue. Netanyahu reaffirmed on Sunday that Israel remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump also warned last week that if negotiations fail, Iran could face a military strike led by Israel.