Franco A., the first lieutenant in the Bundeswehr, who has had to answer to the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court since May last year on suspicion of preparing a serious act of violence that is dangerous to the state, is again in custody.
The court announced this on Monday.
The accused, who is said to have planned attacks on politicians and other people disguised as a Syrian refugee, was provisionally arrested on Friday evening in his hometown of Offenbach after an identity check at the “Ledermuseum” S-Bahn station.
He was later released, the background initially remained unclear.
On Saturday evening, the presiding judge of the State Protection Senate, who is negotiating the allegations, issued an arrest warrant “with urgent responsibility”.
The reason given was that A. had carried objects with him during the identity check "that could be used as evidence".
Based on this circumstance "and other findings", the presiding judge had determined the existence of a risk of collusion and also a risk of flight.
It was unclear on Monday which items were involved and whether the accused was about to destroy them or leave with them.
A spokeswoman for the court did not provide any information, referring to the ongoing main proceedings.
The items are now being evaluated by the police.
Arrest by the SEC
On Sunday morning, a police special task force executed the arrest warrant and arrested A.
On Monday he was brought before the State Security Senate for a hearing.
This lasted until the early evening, after which the arrest warrant was executed and A. was taken into custody.
For the accused, it is the second pre-trial detention since the investigation began: in 2017 he was in custody from April to November until the Federal Court of Justice lifted the arrest warrant.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office accuses the 33-year-old, suspended Bundeswehr officer of violating the Weapons Act, the War Weapons Control Act and the Explosives Act, as well as theft and fraud.
A. acknowledged the latter allegation and admitted that he had pretended to be a Syrian refugee and had received appropriate help from the state;
he has now paid back the money.
A. also admitted in court that he owned some of the weapons and ammunition referred to in the indictment.
An expert has proven that he used Bundeswehr stocks for this purpose, but he himself said nothing about it.
A. continues to receive part of his salary from the Bundeswehr because the process is still ongoing.
The accusation of having planned attacks out of nationalistic sentiment
It is uncertain whether the next day of the hearing will deal with the circumstances of the arrest and the alleged evidence.
The Senate could also introduce the findings into the procedure at a later point in time if it deems it necessary in this form.
Defense and prosecutors could make motions and statements.
Two witnesses are on the program, and the defense announced before the arrest that it would submit further applications for evidence.
The court actually wanted to close the hearing of evidence at the end of January, but now further days of hearing are scheduled until the end of March.