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Sikh bomb attack in Essen 'politically motivated'

July 23, 2016

A bomb attack by three Muslim teenagers in the German city of Essen in April was politically motivated, according to charges that have been filed against the suspects. The trial set to open soon.

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Explosion in Sikh-Gebetshaus in Essen
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/M. Kusch

The boys, aged 16 and 17, face charges of attempted murder and two counts of detonating explosives in the bomb blast on April 16 that injured three people in a Sikh temple in Essen. Their trial is to begin pending approval from a juvenile court and will be conducted behind closed doors on account of the defendants' age.

The detained teenagers have links with Islamists in northwest Germany, Essen police chief Frank Richter said earlier Friday. A report by the German public broadcaster ARD hinted at links between the teenagers and the "Islamic State" group.

The bomb detonated after a wedding party, with one of the guests sustaining serious injuries. One of the two 16-year-old suspects turned himself in after police published surveillance camera footage allegedly showing the perpetrators.

There are about 200 members of the Sikh community living in Essen, in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

jbh/cmk (dpa, AFP)

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Third person detained over Sikh temple blast in Essen

Third person detained over Sikh temple blast in Essen

German police have arrested three people over a bomb blast that injured three people in a Sikh temple in Essen. The authorities believe the bombing was a "terrorist act." (21.04.2016)
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