BERLIN — On Tuesday, it was announced by German prosecutors that they have formally indicted a man suspected of joining the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and plotting an attack in Germany on behalf of the terrorist group.

The individual, referred to only as Mahmoud A. under German privacy regulations, was taken into custody in June in the city of Esslingen, located near Stuttgart. The federal prosecutor’s office has confirmed that he faces charges in Stuttgart’s state court for being part of a foreign terrorist organization and for allegedly planning a serious act of violence.

According to prosecutors, Mahmoud A. became affiliated with IS in May 2016, actively participating in combat and performing guard duties for the group until October 2017. Following his tenure in Iraq, he allegedly traveled to Turkey with the knowledge of IS and later made his way to Germany in October 2022.

Beginning in January, he reportedly set forth plans to execute a bombing. Prosecutors indicate that he researched the process of bomb manufacturing online and acquired various chemicals and components needed for an ignition device. Thankfully, authorities apprehended him before he had the opportunity to implement his attack plans.