German police raid flat over suspected bombing plot

German police carried out a raid on Saturday into a flat in the eastern city of Chemnitz after receiving information about a suspected bombing plan.

Police in the state of Saxony issued a search warrant for Jaber Albakr, a 22-year-old Syrian.

Albakr is "suspected of preparing a bomb attack," police said.

Neighbors said they heard an explosion but police said it was related to the assault team blowing open the flat’s door.

Tom Bernhardt, the spokesman for the state criminal police of Saxony, said several hundred police officers, including commandos, were involved in the search operation. He also declined to comment on whether explosives were found in the apartment.

The official said the plotter posed no threat to locals as police were in full control of the situation. He said residents of the neighborhood had been asked to stay home.

SS