Bild: Germany introduces strict measures against terrorism, espionage

The German government is planning to step up its fight against suspected terrorists and foreign state agents engaged in intelligence activities on German territory.

According to Bild, citing its own sources, Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has prepared a draft law that could be passed as early as autumn 2025.

The draft includes the following key measures: entering Germany with the intent to commit a terrorist act will itself be classified as a criminal offence.

For example, this would apply to the arrival of "a group of militants trained in military skills and affiliated with a terrorist organisation, who purposefully enter the country to carry out a terrorist attack."

In addition, criminal liability will also apply to anyone preparing a terrorist act using a “dangerous object” or a vehicle. Until now, the German Criminal Code did not include a relevant provision.

The draft states that it “responds to the threat posed by terrorist attacks using everyday objects such as cars and knives, expanding criminal liability for the preparation of terrorist offences involving dangerous items.”

The German authorities also intend to grant law enforcement agencies greater powers to monitor suspected foreign agents and to impose harsher penalties on those acting on behalf of foreign intelligence services who spy on individuals or organisations residing in Germany.

By Vugar Khalilov