Breaking: Assassination attempt on Angela Merkel foiled, Czech police detain armed man

German Vice Chancellor Angela Merkel (file photo)An assassination attempt on German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reportedly been foiled as Czech police detained an armed man who tried to join her motorcade during visit to the capital.

“The perpetrator has been detained,” the Mirror quoted police spokesman Josef Bocan as saying on Thursday.

“He is suspected of attempting to cause a crime – specifically an attempt to use violence against an official,” he said.

“The incident is currently being investigated by Prague detectives.”

Markel, who was in Prague to meet Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, was travelling from the airport to the city when the suspicious Black Mercedes appeared.

The driver refused to obey orders coming from the police cars accompanying the German Chancellor.

The suspect tried to enter the motorcade and cut off a police vehicle that was trying to stop him. He only stopped and got out of the vehicle after the police warned of shooting him.

Merkel held talks yesterday with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and President Milos Zeman focused on the future of the European Union after Britain’s June decision to leave the bloc. Several hundred protesters, including members of anti-Islam groups, rallied in central Prague against Merkel and her decision to open the EU’s doors to refugees and migrants last summer.

The incident comes as Europe remains on high alert after a series of terror attacks over the past 12 months.

France, Germany and Belgium have been attacked by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, claiming hundreds of lives.

(With inputs from AFP)