Calls for passport revocation for dual nationals after Hamas arrests

Following the arrest of three suspected Hamas terrorists, there are calls for dual nationals to have their German passports revoked more easily. German citizenship can already be lost today if someone participates in combat operations of a terrorist organization abroad, explained CDU interior politician Alexander Throm in the "Handelsblatt". "There is no reason not to apply this to acts of terrorism committed in Germany."

The three detainees, including a naturalized native Lebanese and a naturalized native Syrian, are to be brought before the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe this morning. They were arrested in Berlin on Wednesday.

As so-called foreign operatives of the Islamist terrorist organization, they are alleged to have procured a Kalashnikov assault rifle, pistols and ammunition for attacks from Germany, according to the federal prosecutor's office. "The weapons were to be used by Hamas for assassination attacks on Israeli or Jewish facilities in Germany." According to a spokeswoman for the federal prosecutor's office, searches were also carried out in Leipzig, where one of the suspects lived, and at the home of a fourth suspect in Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia who was not arrested.

Hamas denies connection

Hamas denied any connection. "The allegation that those arrested have links to Hamas has no basis and is aimed at tarnishing the movement's reputation and undermining the sympathy of the German people for our Palestinian people," the terror group said in a statement. It remains committed to "limiting its fight against the Zionist occupation exclusively to Palestine".

According to the statement, the three detainees are said to have procured firearms and ammunition since the summer at the latest. The two with German passports are 36 and 44 years old, the third - a Lebanese by birth with as yet unclear citizenship - is 43.

Dobrindt: Target of attack was unclear

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) reported that a few months ago, a terror suspect known to the security authorities with Hamas contacts had entered the country. In recent months, however, it had not been clear against which person, event or institution the attack plans had been directed.

With regard to the proposed revocation of German citizenship for dual nationals, there are two different levels: In the case of terror fighters abroad, the point is that they are not within the grasp of the German justice system and their return, and thus a threat in Germany, should be ruled out - terrorists in Germany, on the other hand, can be prosecuted and sanctioned by means of criminal law.