German police arrested three men on suspicion of plotting an Islamist attack, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The men procured an assault rifle and ammunition, among other preparations, according to the Baden-Württemberg State Office of Criminal Investigation.
Two of the suspects are brothers from Mannheim, aged 15 and 20 years old, and a man from the German state of Hesse who is 22 years old.
Investigators alleged that the two brothers had strong religious ideology and a “profound sympathy” for the terrorist organization Islamic State. Authorities found the assault rifle in the possession of the 22-year-old man.
The three young men were arrested in their homes by special police units, and were brought before a magistrate at Karlsruhe district court on Monday, who ordered them to be remanded in custody.
During the searches, a balaclava, a tactical protective vest, several knives and various cell phones and data carriers were also seized. Those items are now being analysed.
The investigators emphasized that there was no concrete danger to the public at any time.