German Town In Lockdown Amid Manhunt For Syrian Suspected Bomb Plotter

German authorities said on October 8 that a major manhunt was under way in the eastern city of Chemnitz for a Syrian man suspected of planning a bomb attack, and residents were being asked to remain at home.

Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Jaber Albakr from Damascus.

Earlier, police evacuated a building in the center of Chemnitz after receiving a tip-off from Germany’s domestic intelligence service. Reports said they found traces of explosives in the suspect’s flat.

Hundreds of German police, including specialist commandos, were said to be involved in the hunt for Albakr in a nearby residential area — the Fritz-Heckert-Gebiet neighborhood of Chemnitz.

Tom Bernhardt, a spokesman for the Saxony state criminal investigation office, said the “where, when, how and why” of the planned attack remained unclear.

Police forced their way into the building, and said on Twitter that an explosion heard there “was an access measure” by police. They said the suspect was not found there.

Saxony state police asked residents within the cordoned-off area to remain in their apartments and follow instructions from police.

Source: rferl.org