Europe News

Terrorism backer freed from German prison

Jul 18, 2011, 16:49 GMT

Berlin - A supporter of a German-based Islamist group has been released from prison on probation after completing two thirds of his sentence, a court spokeswoman confirmed Monday.

Atilla Selek, 26, was arrested in 2007 and convicted last year to five years in prison for assisting the so-called Sauerland group of plotters, who were caught before they could conduct car bombings.

His sentence took account of the time spent in pre-trial custody.

Selek grew up in Germany but had Turkish nationality as a child. Authorities in his hometown, Ulm, reversed his naturalization as a German, saying it was void because he concealed the fact that he was under police investigation when he obtained the citizenship.

He is now demanding in court that his German nationality be reinstated, arguing that he is now stateless as he surrendered his Turkish citizenship when he was naturalized. Court proceedings are due to start Wednesday.

The Sauerland group planned terrorist attacks in 2007 on discos, airports and US institutions in Germany. Police arrested members of the group after months of surveillance.