German intelligence agent held over 'suspected Islamist plot'

Authorities have arrested a German domestic security agent suspected of plotting an Islamist bomb attack on his agency's headquarters, media has reported.

The suspect, a 51-year-old German, is believed to have been planning a bombing at the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) in the western city of Cologne, according to weekly Der Spiegel and daily Die Welt yesterday.

The BfV is Germany's domestic security agency.

"He is accused of making Islamist remarks online under a false name, and offering internal information during chats," a BfV spokeswoman told AFP.

She did not confirm reports that he was plotting an attack, saying there was no "evidence of a real danger to the office or its workers."

But she said a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

The suspect, who has a family and also reportedly worked at a bank, has since April been engaged in gathering intelligence on the Islamist scene in Germany, Der Spiegel said.

The paper said the suspect had partially admitted to the allegations by making references to bomb attacks carried out "in the name of Allah."

He used several different names online and allegedly divulged information about the agency in chat rooms, reports said. His activities were uncovered about a month ago.