GERMANY WAS one tourist attraction poorer yesterday after Berlin police, citing growing security concerns, closed the Reichstag dome to visitors.
Police sealed off the landmark parliament building, allowing only registered guests through, as federal police said Germany was facing an unprecedented terrorism alert.
The move followed weekend reports that the Reichstag, seat of the federal government since 1999, was under scrutiny by terrorist groups.
According to Der Spiegel, an unnamed informer told German police that a six-strong cell was planning to enter Germany and carry out a “Mumbai-style” attack on Berlin. The reported plan involved holding hostages in the building and detonating bombs.
“We have concrete details of suspects, but no concrete details that an attack will be carried out at a specific time and place,” said Jörg Ziercke, head of Germany’s federal criminal police.
Nevertheless, police began fencing off the parliament building, adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate, yesterday morning.
Even on grey, drizzly days like yesterday, there is always a queue on the front steps of the Reichstag. Yesterday the steps looked strangely naked, with no one lining up to enjoy the panoramic views over the city from the dome and roof terrace.
“It’s a real shame, I’d been looking forward to it,” said Tobias, a 23-year-old student from Hildesheim, as he was turned away.
As border police tightened controls on Germany’s borders, police unions warned yesterday officers were overworked and unprepared for any terrorist attacks.
“We’ve just had the transport of nuclear waste to protect, now this and then there are football matches that need police presence,” said Martin Schilff, a policeman in Hanover. “It never ends, we are permanently on duty.”
Germany has been on high terrorism alert since last Wednesday, when interior minister Thomas de Maizière said there were “concrete” indications that Islamists were planning an imminent attack. Unlike other countries, Germany has no colour-coded system of terrorism warning for the public. German politicians say this keeps the public calm, while critics say it has the opposite effect.
“People do not know how to estimate the threat that really exists,” Philipp Holtmann of the Institution for International and Security Affairs, told the Bild daily newspaper.
“If we look at the situation we are confronted with right now, we are on the borderline between panicking and hysteria and absolute negligence.”