German Authorities Arrest Suspect in Cologne Cathedral Threat Case

German authorities arrested another suspect on Monday in connection with an alleged threat to launch an attack on the famous Cologne Cathedral during New Year's celebrations, bringing the total number of arrests to five. The latest suspect, a 41-year-old man of Turkish origin, was arrested on Sunday night in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. The police had previously arrested three individuals on Sunday morning and a man the week before. According to Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns, all suspects belong to a larger Islamic extremist network that includes individuals across Germany and other European countries. Local media reported that the attack was supposed to be carried out on New Year's Eve using a vehicle loaded with explosives. Cologne police indicated in a press conference on Sunday that they searched the underground parking garage of the cathedral and deployed explosive detection dogs, but found nothing. They also inspected the entrance and exit of the garage for any suspicious activity. The globally renowned cathedral has been under tight security for a week, and the threat has led to the closure of the place of worship to tourists since Christmas Eve.