A 22-year-old Syrian man accused of planning an attack using a suicide vest and a knife has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison by a court in Berlin, which found him guilty of preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state.
The presiding judge, Susann Wettley, said on Friday that the man had acted out of radical Islamist convictions. "He was firmly resolved to carry out an attack," she said.
The man is said to have been considering a terrorist attack since at least March 2025, targeting Jews living in Berlin and those he considered "unbelievers." He had planned to kill as many Jewish people and non-Muslims as possible with a knife before carrying out a suicide bombing.
The verdict described the defendant as a young man with little education who had become radicalized extremely quickly. He had engaged with the concept of martyrdom and resolved to carry out an attack in order to reach "paradise" and, in his view, take unbelievers with him to their deaths while also seeking to spread fear and terror in Germany.
He had wanted to carry out the attack at a location frequented by as many Jews as possible, possibly a restaurant.
The court agreed with the prosecution that he had been on the verge of building an explosive device.
He had posted videos on social media set to songs and hymns of the Islamic State terrorist organization, known as nasheeds.
'The devil was in my head'
The man, who was arrested about seven months ago, had broadly admitted the charges during the trial and apologized. He said he had come to Germany at the end of 2023 "to work and earn money," but that his dreams and goals had then changed.
He said he had become increasingly radicalized on internet platforms such as TikTok and had watched Islamic State publications. "The devil was in my head," he said.
In chats with as yet unidentified contacts, the 22-year-old is said to have sought information about building an explosive device and discussed a possible attack.
The young Syrian then allegedly purchased a knife and several items online believed to be suitable for constructing an explosive and incendiary device.
The defendant, who said he had most recently been living with a relative in the Berlin district of Neukölln, has been in custody since November 1, 2025.
The verdict can be appealed.
