Three Germans Suspected of Having Al-Shabaab Ties arrested in Frankfurt

Frankfurt (dpa/NAN) – German government said on Monday that three nationals suspected of belonging to radical Islamist militia Al-Shabaab were arrested at Frankfurt Airport, following their return from Kenya.

A spokeswoman for federal prosecutor said the men, aged 23, 26 and 28, were arrested by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police on Saturday but the arrests were made public only on Monday.

 She said there was no concrete evidence that they were planning a terrorist attack in Germany.

She said the three traveled to Somalia between 2012 and 2013 where they allegedly linked up with Al-Shabaab which controls parts of the country.

She also said that while in Africa they were suspected of having received military training at an Al-Shabaab camp.

A security operative who preferred anonymity said the men had returned to Germany because they no longer wanted to be part of the militia’s military drive in Africa.

The issue of so-called returning foreign fighters top discussion at the last NATO summit in Wales.