Two Iranian men were arrested by German police on Saturday evening after receiving a tip from US security officials that they were planning an attack, according to reports from the Münster police and the German press.
The two men were suspected of having prepared “a serious act of violence” with cyanide and ricin in order to “perform an Islamist-motivated attack,” said the Münster police.
The two men, aged 25 and 32, were taken into custody in Castrop-Rauxel, a town in western Germany just outside Dortmund.
A man is taken into custody by a special task force in Castrop-Rauxel, Sunday January 8, 2023. (Karsten Wickern/dpa via AP)
Ricin is a naturally occurring toxin found in castor beans, while cyanide is a deadly chemical that can come in a variety of forms.
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The extent of the suspects’ plans was initially unknown. Investigators in hazmat suits searched the home on Sunday, but police said no toxins were found.
Substances found during the search will be examined on Sunday, January 8th, 2023, on the premises of the fire brigade in Castrop-Rauxel. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)
A special task force (SEK) is on site, a police spokeswoman said on Saturday evening of the German Press Agency. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)
According to German newspaper Bild, the FBI gave officers clues about the planned attack.
An FBI spokesman declined to comment Sunday.
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A 31-year-old Tunisian man was convicted in Germany of manufacturing a biological weapon in 2020 after buying thousands of castor beans to make ricin and then testing them on a dwarf hamster.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.