Assassination Attempt on Merkel Foiled, Accused Detained in Prague

Czech police detained an armed man in Prague who tried to join Merkel’s motorcade during her visit to the capital.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks on the deck of the Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi off Ventotene island’s shores, Italy. (Photo: AP)

An assassination attempt on German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reportedly been foiled. The Czech police detained an armed man in Prague who tried to join her motorcade during her visit to the capital.

“The perpetrator has been detained,” the Mirror quoted police spokesman Josef Bocan on Thursday.

He is suspected of attempting to cause a crime, specifically an attempt to use violence against an official. The incident is currently being investigated by Prague detectives.

Josef Bocan

Merkel, who was in Prague to meet Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, was travelling from the airport to the city when the suspicious Black Mercedes appeared.

Czech President Milos Zeman (right) welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo: AP)

The driver refused to obey orders coming from the police cars accompanying the German Chancellor.

The suspect tried to enter the motorcade and cut off a police vehicle that was trying to stop him. He only stopped and got out of the vehicle after the police warned that they would shoot.

The incident comes as Europe remains on high alert after a series of terror attacks over the past 12 months.

France, Germany and Belgium have been attacked by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, claiming hundreds of lives.

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