Trial begins against 18-year-old on suspicion of terrorism in Hamburg

The trial against an 18-year-old on suspicion of preparing a terrorist offense begins on Monday (9:30 a.m.) before the Hamburg youth jury court. The public prosecutor's office also accuses him of financing terrorism and violating the association law in three cases, as the public prosecutor's press office announced on Friday.

According to the information, the defendant is said to have planned attacks on an unspecified number of “infidels” in a shopping center, a bar or a police station in Hamburg between the end of April and his preliminary arrest on May 7th. For this purpose he is said to have planned an explosive explosion, the use of Molotov cocktails or, alternatively, a knife attack, it was said.

In addition, the defendant is said to have published three IS-related videos on his Instagram profile. Among other things, the IS flag and dancing “IS warriors”, some of whom were armed with automatic rifles, could be seen. A video also contained footage of a suspected suicide attack.

According to a preliminary expert assessment, the defendant was said to have had significantly reduced criminal responsibility due to a mental illness at the time of the alleged crime, the court press office also informed on Friday. Due to the defendant's youth at the time of the alleged crime, the trial was held behind closed doors.