Austria’s interior minister has called on security authorities to allow suspects access to messenger apps to thwart terrorist attacks.
This comes as European countries are on high alert over the threat of New Year’s Eve terrorist attacks, following the arrests of five Tajikistan nationals in Austria and Germany.
Gerhard Kerner said the number of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents has increased since the start of the Gaza conflict.
He told local media that the executive branch of security agencies needs access to messenger services to counter terrorist threats.
“Terrorists use modern methods, so the Austrian security forces should be able to do the same,” he said.
He said parts of the conspiracy were only unraveled with the cooperation of international partners.
“Terrorist organizations across Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events,” Vienna police said in a statement.
The suspects arrested in Austria and Germany are Tajik nationals and are believed to have intended to attack ISIS.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said: “Our security services are keeping an eye on the Islamist scene and are acting decisively, as the current measures demonstrate.”
In addition to Austria and Germany, Spain also received indications that the Islamist group is planning several attacks in Europe, possibly on New Year’s Eve.
Churches holding Christmas services in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid are believed to be potential targets.
Earlier this month, Ian McCurry, deputy US envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, said the terrorist organization was using the war in Gaza to gain international traction.
“We believe that ISIS… is seeking an opportunity to exploit the conflict between Israel and Hamas for its own ends… We are determined to continue our operations to defeat it. “I’m here” [ISIS],” He said.
Updated: December 27, 2023, 2:53 p.m.