Berlin Regional Court sentences 22-year-old to over five years in prison for planned terrorist attack

During the trial, the defendant broadly admitted the accusations and asked for forgiveness. He literally stated: "The devil was in my head." and "I got my thoughts from IS." Regarding his motive, he said he came to Germany at the end of 2023 "to work and earn money." He had become increasingly radicalized on internet platforms like TikTok and consumed IS publications.

Indictment and Sentence

The court described the man as a young man with little formal education who had become extremely quickly radicalized. He had engaged with the concept of martyrdom and decided to carry out an attack to get to "paradise" and take "infidels" with him in death, according to the sentencing rationale. He also wanted to spread fear and terror in Germany.

In chat communications with individuals unknown to him at the time, the defendant discussed the construction of an explosive device and a possible attack. He subsequently purchased a knife online, as well as several items that, in the assessment of the court and prosecution, were suitable for the construction of an explosive and incendiary device. On social media, he published videos with nasheeds, i.e., Islamist chants, and anthems of the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS).

In addition to preparing a serious act of violence that endangered the state, he was also convicted of violating the association law in connection with these IS videos. The defendant had been in pre-trial detention since November 1, 2025; the verdict was delivered approximately seven months after his arrest. He had most recently been living with a relative in Berlin-Neukölln.

The prosecution had sought a total prison sentence of six years and three months, while the defense had pleaded for three years and seven months. The defense argued that the defendant was not an ideologically motivated IS supporter; his real goal was the forgiveness of his own sins. The court did not accept this argument and assumed a clear radical Islamist motivation.

Proceedings not yet concluded

The verdict is not yet legally binding. When the 22-year-old will remain in custody depends on a possible appeal.

Presiding Judge Susann Wettley spoke of a young man who had radicalized himself over digital channels in a short period. The proceedings also raised the question of how vulnerable young people are to Islamist propaganda on social media.

According to their own statements, the Berlin security authorities had already arrested the man before the planned construction of the explosive device. No concrete attack location or further accomplices were publicly named in the verdict.

According to the prosecution and the court, he was on the verge of constructing an explosive device when he was arrested. From the chamber's perspective, this constituted a completed case of preparing a serious act of violence that endangered the state.