Berlin court sentences 19-year-old to juvenile detention for attack preparations and attempted Islamic State travel

Yahoo
Yahoo
9h ago
A Berlin court sentenced a 19-year-old suspected Islamic State supporter to three years in juvenile detention for preparing a serious attack in Germany and attempting to join IS.
Berlin court sentences 19-year-old to juvenile detention for attack preparations and attempted Islamic State travel
A What happened
A 19-year-old man received a three-year juvenile detention sentence in Berlin for preparing a serious attack in Germany, attempting to join the Islamic State, and other offences. The Berlin Higher Regional Court said he became radicalized on the internet in 2024 and decided by February 2025 at the latest to carry out an attack, considering the Israeli Embassy as a target. The court said he failed to obtain explosives and had contact with IS members while preparing to leave Germany to join IS as a fighter in Afghanistan. He was arrested on February 20 at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport and was sentenced under juvenile law because he was a minor at the time of the offence and was deemed developmentally impaired.

Key insights

  • 1

    Juvenile law applied due to age and developmental assessment: The court imposed a juvenile sentence because the defendant was a minor at the time of the offence and was deemed developmentally impaired.

  • 2

    Attack plan did not progress to acquiring explosives: The court said the defendant considered the Israeli Embassy as a target but failed to obtain explosives.

  • 3

    Defendant expressed remorse at trial start: In early December, the defendant showed remorse and completely distanced himself from radical ideology.

Takeaways

A three-year juvenile detention sentence was imposed, and the verdict remains appealable and not final.

Topics

World & Politics Security & Defense Law & Public Safety Crime & Justice Courts

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