Islamic State fighters have entered Europe disguised as refugees, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said Friday.
“Then we have repeatedly seen that terrorists … have slipped in camouflaged or disguised as refugees. This is a fact that the security agencies are facing,” Hans-Georg Maassen told ZDF television. “We are trying to recognize and identify whether there are still more IS fighters or terrorists from IS that have slipped in.”
Maassen also said the agency has received more than 100 tip-offs Islamic State fighters are among the refugees staying in Germany.
On Thursday, German forces arrested two men suspected of being linked to the terror group and of preparing an attack on Berlin.
“We are in a serious situation and there is a high risk that there could be an attack. But the security agencies, the intelligence services and the police authorities are very alert and our goal is to minimize the risk as best we can,” Maassen added, warning against unnecessary alarm.
According to Reuters, Germany took in more than one million migrants last year, including more refugees from the Middle East and Africa than any other European Union state.
