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German synagogue shooting was far-right terror, justice minister says German synagogue shooting was far-right terror, justice minister says
(32 minutes later)
A shooting at a synagogue in the German city of Halle on Monday was a far-right terror attack, said justice minister Christine Lambrecht. A shooting at a synagogue in the German city of Halle on Monday was a far-right terror attack, said Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht.
Alleged perpetrator Stephan Balliet had four kilos of explosives in his car, Ms Lambrecht said in a joint statement with attorney-general Peter Frank. Alleged perpetrator Stephan Balliet had four kilos (9lb) of explosives in his car, Ms Lambrecht said in a statement with attorney-general Peter Frank.
The gunman was planning a "massacre", said Mr Frank said. Mr Frank said the gunman had been planning a massacre.
The suspect 27, faces two counts of murder and nine counts of attempted murder, German media report.
The German national is due to appear in court on Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors allege he intended to create a "worldwide effect" by deliberately mimicking tactics used during a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques earlier this year.
About 2,200 people watched a live stream he allegedly posted on the online streaming platform Twitch.About 2,200 people watched a live stream he allegedly posted on the online streaming platform Twitch.
Mr Balliet, 27, who is due to appear in court on Thursday afternoon, is facing two counts of murder and nine counts of attempted murder, German media report. Could the attack have been prevented?
German police have faced criticism in the wake of the attack from the nation's most prominent Jewish community group, which accused the force of "negligence". About 60 worshippers were at a Yom Kippur service at the time of the attack.
German police have faced criticism from the nation's most prominent Jewish community group, which accused the force of "negligence" in its handling of the attack.
The head of the Central Council of Jews said it was "scandalous" that police were not protecting the synagogue on the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday.The head of the Central Council of Jews said it was "scandalous" that police were not protecting the synagogue on the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday.
"If police had been stationed outside the synagogue, then this man could have been disarmed before he could attack the others," said the council's president, Josef Schuster, on Deutschlandfunk public radio."If police had been stationed outside the synagogue, then this man could have been disarmed before he could attack the others," said the council's president, Josef Schuster, on Deutschlandfunk public radio.
In a tweet, Mr Schuster added that it was "a miracle that there were no further casualties" during the incident at the city's synagogue. About 60 worshippers were at a Yom Kippur service at the time. In a tweet, Mr Schuster added that it was "a miracle that there were no further casualties" during the incident at the city's synagogue.
The suspect is a German national. "We must make sure that we must protect our Jewish citizens much better," said Ms Lambrecht.
The video - which was removed from Twitch - showed him making anti-Semitic and misogynistic comments before driving to the synagogue and shooting at its door. How did the attack unfold?
After failing to get into the synagogue, he shot dead two people: a woman in a nearby street and a man inside a kebab shop about 500 metres (yards) away. Two people were also wounded by bullets and underwent surgery. The video - which was removed from Twitch - shows a man making anti-Semitic and misogynistic comments before driving to the synagogue and shooting at its door.
Reports said the gunman also tried to set off explosives at the synagogue. After failing to get into the synagogue, the gunman shot dead two people: a woman in a nearby street and a man inside a kebab shop about 500 metres (yards) away. Two people were also wounded by bullets and underwent surgery.
Witnesses said he was heavily armed, and an online anti-Semitic "manifesto" attributed to him shows guns, apparently home-made. Reports say the gunman also tried to set off explosives at the synagogue.
Survivors said they hid behind the synagogue's heavy locked doors until police arrived, which took more than 10 minutes. Witnesses say he was heavily armed, and an online anti-Semitic "manifesto" attributed to him shows guns, apparently home-made.
"This case shows us how thinly spread the police cover is," Oliver Malchow, chairman of the GdP, told German broadcaster ZDF. Survivors say they hid behind the synagogue's heavy locked doors until police arrived, which took more than 10 minutes.
"While we're tackling terrorism we cannot at the same time involve many staff in monitoring far-right extremists," he added. "We didn't underestimate it, but we can't foresee everything and prevent it." How big a threat is anti-Semitism in modern Germany?
Authorities have noted a recent rise of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, a country that is still haunted by the murder of six million Jews under Nazi rule.Authorities have noted a recent rise of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, a country that is still haunted by the murder of six million Jews under Nazi rule.
They provide varying degrees of protection to synagogues. But when this is not possible, local Jewish communities sometimes work with law enforcement to provide for their own security.They provide varying degrees of protection to synagogues. But when this is not possible, local Jewish communities sometimes work with law enforcement to provide for their own security.
Since the shooting, police presence has been increased outside synagogues in several east German cities, including Leipzig and Dresden, according to local media.Since the shooting, police presence has been increased outside synagogues in several east German cities, including Leipzig and Dresden, according to local media.
Oliver Malchow, chairman of the German police union (GdP), said police were too thinly spread for 24-hour protection of places of worship.
"While we're tackling terrorism we cannot at the same time involve many staff in monitoring far-right extremists," he told German broadcaster ZDF. "We didn't underestimate it, but we can't foresee everything and prevent it."
The attack was condemned by European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At an event in Nuremberg, Ms Merkel said the government would use "all means available" to tackle hatred and bigotry.The attack was condemned by European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At an event in Nuremberg, Ms Merkel said the government would use "all means available" to tackle hatred and bigotry.
Elsewhere, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the shooting as a "terror attack" and warned anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe.Elsewhere, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the shooting as a "terror attack" and warned anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe.