German held by US troops 'planned Europe attacks'

A German Islamist held by US troops in Afghanistan and interrogated since July has revealed details of planned attacks on targets in Germany and Europe, a news weekly reported today.

Without naming its sources, Der Spiegel said US troops had identified Ahmad S. as a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan who had worked on recruiting new members in Germany.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry would not confirm details of the report, saying only that the government was trying to contact a citizen held by US forces. German media have said he is from the northern city of Hamburg.

Der Spiegel said Ahmad S. had travelled with his wife, brother, and another couple to the Afghan-Pakistani border area in March 2009 to train in extremist camps.

The magazine said the man moved in circles linked to the Taiba Mosque in Hamburg, previously known as the Al-Quds Mosque, which was frequented by Mohammed Atta - the leader of the group that carried out the September 11 attacks on the United States.

German police shut down the mosque last month, saying it had links with armed Islamist groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan.