Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV has received more than 100 tip-offs that there are Islamic State fighters hiding among the refugees currently seeking asylum in Germany, the Berlinger Zeitung newspaper reported, citing the agency’s chief.
The newspaper reported the figures on Friday, saying the BfV chief Hans-Georg Maassen had recently mentioned that number at a discussion in the Interior Ministry with politicians who focus on domestic policy issues, according to Reuters.
But Mr. Maassen also said that some of the tip-offs were untrue, Reuters reported.
His comments echo a growing concern in Western Europe about safety since it was revealed that some of the culprits behind the Nov. 13 Paris attacks had entered Europe disguised as migrants.
More than one million migrants arrived in Germany last year, many of them Afghans, Iraqis and Syrians fleeing from war and persecution.
Asked how much Germany should fear a terrorist attack, Mr. Maassen suggested that was the wrong question.
“The expression ’fear’ is the wrong one here,” he said, The New York Times reported. “We are in a situation which is serious, and we have a high risk that there can be a terrorist attack.”
But, he added, security services and the police were on high alert.
“Our goal is to minimize the risk,” he said.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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