Safety comes first: Sabers as part of the guard uniform are not allowed into the cathedral this year. The carnival participants can still collect their blessing for the session.
Because of the terror alert that has been in effect for Cologne Cathedral since Christmas, carnivalists are not allowed to wear sabers in the traditional service at the start of the carnival season. The sabers are usually part of the guards’ uniforms. It was also agreed with the carnival societies that flags could only be waved inside the cathedral, the police said. The cathedral will remain closed to tourists due to the danger. Shortly before Christmas, the security authorities received information that Islamists wanted to carry out an attack in the area around the cathedral on New Year’s Eve.
The investigation continues
“It’s a picture that none of us wants when emergency services search visitors to Christian masses,” said the head of the Cologne police’s security department, Martin Lotz. However, security precautions to protect people and the cathedral would be maintained as long as necessary. It is not yet possible to predict when a return to normality will be possible. Further investigations will be carried out at high speed.
According to the information, two suspects who were arrested on Christmas Eve in Wesel and on New Year’s Eve in Nörvenich in the Düren district remain in police custody on a court order.
Source: Stern
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