THREE men have been charged over an alleged plot to attack a Jewish target in western Germany, prosecutors said today.

The main suspect, a German citizen whose name was not released in line with local privacy rules, flew to Istanbul in April with the intention of continuing to Syria to join up with jihadist fighters, prosecutors in Stuttgart said. That plan failed and he returned to Germany.

Along with a teenage German-Turkish dual national, he then allegedly planned an attack on a Jewish facility in either Heidelberg or Mannheim. 

The pair also discussed being shot dead by police after such an attack and then having a video claim of responsibility released with recriminations against German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his support for Israel, prosecutors said.

The aim of the planned attack was to end German co-operation with Israel, they added.

The main suspect has been charged with preparing a serious act of violence and conspiracy to murder.

The teenager was charged with being an accessory to the preparation of a serious act of violence and conspiracy to murder.

Another German is accused of driving the main suspect to Stuttgart airport, knowing that the man’s plan was to try to travel to Syria. He was charged with being an accessory to the preparation of a serious act of violence.