German officials: Self-styled IS supporter targeted Turks

BERLIN – Authorities in southern Germany say a 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attacking Turkish-owned grocery stores told investigators he considers himself a supporter of the Islamic State group.

Prosecutor Georg Freutsmiedl said Sunday that the suspect declared he acted out of “hatred for Turks.”

He is suspected of carrying out four attacks since April in the town of Waldkraiburg, about 60 kilometres east of Munich. Six people were injured in the firebombing of a grocery store, while the other attacks involved stones being thrown through shop windows.

Freutsmiedl said the man, who was arrested Friday, will be charged with 27 cases of attempted murder, serious arson and serious bodily harm.

The suspect was detained by chance after being caught without a valid public transportation ticket. Police say they found a pipe bomb in his rucksack and several more at his home.

The suspect, who wasn’t named, is a German citizen. His parents are immigrants from Turkey.