More and more new details are revealing just how dangerous the terror network is that is said to have planned an attack on St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and Cologne Cathedral at Christmas. According to the intelligence service, the Kailfatsbrigade ISPK even wanted to buy an anti-aircraft missile in Ukraine.
Three terror suspects have also been in custody in Vienna since the attack plans were uncovered. They were arrested in an asylum centre in Ottakring and are said to belong to the terrorist militia “Islamic State in the Afghan province of Kohrasan” (ISPK) – eXXpress reported. One of them is said to have travelled to Cologne especially to scout out the security precautions of the world-famous cathedral with an accomplice.
The ISPK, which is made up of members from Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan, is led by a sheikh in the Netherlands, according to terrorism investigators. He is in charge of an international network of militant and apparently violent Islamists. Nine suspects were arrested in raids last summer.
Since then, more and more details about the ISPK have come to light. Especially with regard to the close links to the radical Islamic scene in Austria. The Federal Criminal Police Office in Wiesbaden learnt how good the contacts of the German Tajik group were in local circles from the statement of a leading ISPK terror suspect to an informer. He had told him that three brothers had been arrested in Austria. One was Chechen, the others came from south-east Europe.
According to the information, the men were supposed to attack an LGBTQ parade in Austria. The order had been authorised in Germany, the ISPK leader claimed. Younger jihadists were deliberately chosen as they could expect less punishment. This is consistent with the later events surrounding the Vienna Pride parade.
As the ISPK member was threatened with deportation to his home country in the summer, he wanted to flee to Austria because he knew many ” fellow brothers” there. His departure was planned for July 7. However, he was arrested the day before.
The same Turkmen informant is also said to have claimed to the police informer that the terror network was considering buying a missile from Ukrainian stocks for attacks. A contact who is said to be fighting in the army in the Donetsk Basin offered a “Stinger” for 5,000 dollars. The “FIM-92 Stinger” is an infrared-guided air defence missile from the US manufacturer Raytheon, which is used against air targets. It can be fired from the shoulder or from land, air or sea vehicles.
The Ukrainian often travelled to Germany to offer weapons for sale.
Terror-Pläne für Wien-Anschlag: IS-Bande wollte Rakete in Ukraine kaufen | Exxpress