German interior minister has cautioned about potential threats, particularly from Islamist terrorists, ahead of the Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany.
Groups such as the Islamic State have already called for attacks at the month-long tournament, which begins on Friday with the host country’s Group A opener against Scotland.
On Thursday, Germany welcomed police officers from across Europe to bolster its defenses against such potential threats.
“Our focus, of course, is above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism, hooligans and their offenses, everyday crime, violent criminals, but this time also on cyber attacks,” Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser said at a ceremony for around 350 foreign police officers dispatched for the event.
“Our security authorities therefore have the Islamist scene firmly in their sights,” Faeser said, while adding that authorities were not currently aware of any specific plots.
Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and some 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
The fan zones were popular during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but it remains to be seen whether the public mood at this event can rise above simmering tensions at a time of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, and as the far right sees its support surge in Europe.
“Some people are trying to bring these conflicts into our country,” the minister warned, adding that propaganda and hate speech on German streets would not be tolerated.
Some 22,000 police officers will be working each day at the tournament.
German security authorities are also collaborating with international partners to identify potential threats. The country also introduced temporary border controls on Saturday, requiring travelers, including those from the Schengen Area, to carry necessary documents.
The temporary checks are to remain in place until July 19.
Euro 2024 begins on June 14, 2024, with Poland kicking off on June 16 against the Netherlands. The tournament will run for a month, concluding with the final on July 14, 2024.
On Thursday, Germany welcomed police officers from across Europe to bolster its defenses against such potential threats.
“Our focus, of course, is above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism, hooligans and their offenses, everyday crime, violent criminals, but this time also on cyber attacks,” Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser said at a ceremony for around 350 foreign police officers dispatched for the event.
“Our security authorities therefore have the Islamist scene firmly in their sights,” Faeser said, while adding that authorities were not currently aware of any specific plots.
Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and some 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
The fan zones were popular during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but it remains to be seen whether the public mood at this event can rise above simmering tensions at a time of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, and as the far right sees its support surge in Europe.
“Some people are trying to bring these conflicts into our country,” the minister warned, adding that propaganda and hate speech on German streets would not be tolerated.
Some 22,000 police officers will be working each day at the tournament.
German security authorities are also collaborating with international partners to identify potential threats. The country also introduced temporary border controls on Saturday, requiring travelers, including those from the Schengen Area, to carry necessary documents.
The temporary checks are to remain in place until July 19.
Euro 2024 begins on June 14, 2024, with Poland kicking off on June 16 against the Netherlands. The tournament will run for a month, concluding with the final on July 14, 2024.
Source: Reuters, TVP World
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