World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
15-year-old held over suspected attack on refugee shelter in Germany
Police in northern Germany detained a 15-year-old after witnesses saw him carrying a petrol can near his home in Schleswig-Holstein.
Investigators suspect he and a 19-year-old planned to set fire to a refugee shelter in Winsen, Lower Saxony.
The case began after messages in a group chat described violence against migrants and plans for an attack.
The messages also reportedly included details about making incendiary devices, and investigators seized both suspects’ phones.
The 15-year-old is in pre-trial detention on suspicion of agreeing to commit a crime and preparing a terrorist offence.
The 19-year-old remains free while under investigation, and officials have not confirmed whether he was involved in an earlier attack on the shelter.
Investigators are examining the seized devices, while authorities assess the evidence and the suspects’ alleged roles.
A 15-year-old from Wahlstedt is in pre-trial detention in Germany over suspected plans for an attack on a refugee shelter in Winsen (Luhe).
Police arrested him on Friday after witnesses saw him carrying a petrol can.
Authorities say he is suspected of agreeing to commit arson and preparing a terrorist offence.
Police had searched the homes of the teenager and a 19-year-old on Thursday and seized their phones.
The NDR says it alerted police after receiving information about the group’s alleged plans, while an antifascist research group published chat screenshots.
- Who
- A 15-year-old from Wahlstedt is in custody. A 19-year-old from Winsen is also under investigation.
- What
- The teenager is suspected of agreeing to commit arson and preparing a terrorist offence targeting a refugee shelter.
- When
- Police searched the suspects’ homes on Thursday and arrested the 15-year-old on Friday. The reports were published on 2 November 2026.
- Where
- The suspected target was a refugee shelter in Winsen (Luhe), Lower Saxony. The teenager is from Wahlstedt in Schleswig-Holstein.
- Why
- Authorities say they feared the teenager could commit serious offences if released. The alleged motive is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police searched the homes of the 15-year-old and the 19-year-old and seized digital devices.
Police arrested the 15-year-old after witnesses saw him carrying a petrol can.
The Flensburg public prosecutor’s office said the teenager was in pre-trial detention.
The antifascist research group published chat screenshots, and the NDR reported that it had alerted police.
- Suspect
- 15-year-old from Wahlstedt, Segeberg district
- Other person under investigation
- 19-year-old from Winsen (Luhe)
- Suspected target
- Refugee shelter in Winsen (Luhe)
- Arrest
- Friday, after witnesses saw the teenager carrying a petrol can
- Investigation
- Suspected agreement to commit arson and preparation of a terrorist offence
3 sources
What people are saying
It was to be feared that he could commit serious offences if he had remained at liberty.
And exactly that is my goal.
At least one.