BREAKING NEWS

Syrian bombing suspect spoke to IS contact about attack plans

BERLIN - A Syrian refugee arrested on suspicion of planning a major attack in Berlin spoke to a member of Islamic State in Syria by telephone about a possible target a day before police discovered explosives in his apartment, a newspaper reported on Saturday.
Jaber Albakr was detained on Monday, two days after police discovered about 1.5 kg of explosives in his apartment. He was found dead in prison on Wednesday. Authorities said he had committed suicide.
Germany's Welt am Sonntag (WamS) cited investigation sources as saying U.S. intelligence had provided a tip-off on Albakr after tapping several phone calls between him and an Islamic State member in Syria. During the calls, 22-year-old Albakr spoke about his attack plans, the newspaper said.
In a call on Oct. 7, Albakr told his contact that 2 kg of explosives were ready and he named a possible target, saying a "big airport in Berlin" was "better than trains," WamS reported.