Group of 12 German far-right extremists planned Christchurch-style mosque attacks
- They planned to imitate the attacks in Christchurch in New Zealand in which 51 people were killed at two mosques
- Investigators learned about the plot from someone who had infiltrated the group
Members of a far-right group arrested in Germany as part of a massive counterterrorism investigation were planning large-scale attacks on mosques similar to the ones carried out in New Zealand last year, media reported on Sunday.
The group, 12 of whom were detained on Friday, wanted to attack Muslim places of worship during prayers, Der Spiegel magazine and the daily Bild said.
They planned to imitate the attacks in Christchurch in New Zealand in which 51 people were killed at two mosques and intended to use semi-automatic weapons.
The alleged leader of the group, which was known to the authorities and had been under observation, had detailed his plans at a meeting organised with his accomplices last week.
Investigators learned about it from someone who had infiltrated the group, the two publications said.