Germany probes suspected attack plot after weapons found near Berlin

German federal prosecutors are investigating a suspect after a weapons cache was found near Berlin last year, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Friday.

The individual is suspected of espionage and preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state, Dobrindt said at a press conference in Berlin, confirming earlier media reports.

The suspect is in custody in Romania while investigations are ongoing, according to Dobrindt. 

"This case shows that we are operating on the assumption of a high threat level ... that we are vigilant towards hybrid threats" the conservative politician said.

Weapons intended for attacks

Last October, the domestic intelligence agency learned of a possible weapons stash in woodland on the outskirts of Berlin, Dobrindt said. With the help of police, the cache was located and two handguns and ammunition found there.

The weapons and ammunition were rendered unusable. and the cache was kept under surveillance in order to identify potential recipients, Dobrindt said. 

"This surveillance produced no result," he added.

German authorities believe the weapons and ammunition were intended to be used in attacks. There were indications of attack plans in Romania, where a suspect was arrested, Dobrindt said. 

He did not say whether the plans related only to Romania or also to other locations such as Germany. Investigations are being conducted jointly with Romanian authorities.

The person arrested is regarded as a "low-level agent," according to Dobrindt. 

Such individuals, also referred to as "disposable agents," are not professional spies but operatives working on behalf of foreign intelligence services.