The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is currently maintaining a list of 410 individuals considered to be a threat from Islamist extremism. This data, based on the situation as of 1 July, covers individuals linked to Islamist terrorism or extremism. The police consider that the individuals in question are capable of carrying out serious violent acts, including attacks on civilians.
In addition to Islamist threats, the BKA monitors other forms of extremism. The list includes 65 individuals considered to be a potential far-right threat, while 17 individuals are classified as a left-wing extremist threat. The reasons for adding or removing individuals from these lists vary, with the police assessing each case on its merits.
The service states that the number of people on these lists is constantly changing, and therefore they do not provide a reliable indicator of the overall level of threat in the country. The assessments are based on individual risk analyses, meaning that static numbers do not necessarily reflect the dynamic security situation in Germany.
This security situation recalls the recent incident in Berlin. On Saturday evening, a 21-year-old man of Lebanese origin drove a van into a crowd of people. The attacker had known links to Islamist extremism.
One woman was killed in the attack, while 29 others were injured. Following the vehicle incursion, the suspect attacked passers-by with a sharp object, which is believed to have been a machete. The suspect died on Sunday during a police operation.
