German soldier who, planned attack, gets 5 years

A Bundeswehr officer accused of planning an attack and impersonating a Syrian refugee has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison by a German court.

The court in Frankfurt found him guilty of planning a serious act of violent subversion against the state and violating weapons law. It said that he had committed the crimes because of his right-wing extremist views.

Prosecutors had demanded a prison sentence of six years and three months for the man, who they say acquired a false identity as a Syrian refugee to pass off the planned attacks as an act of terrorism by a recognized asylum seeker.

His intention was to undermine confidence in the German government's asylum policy, prosecutors say.

The officer, identified under German privacy rules as Franco A, is accused of planning attacks on high-ranking politicians and public figures.

Franco A denies the charges but has admitted to having hoarded weapons and ammunition to prepare for a breakdown of public order in Germany.

His defence lawyers demanded acquittal last week on the main charge - a serious act of violent subversion against the state - and fines or suspended sentences for the remaining charges.

Franco A was arrested at Vienna airport in February 2017 when he tried to retrieve a loaded pistol from a hiding place in an airport toilet. It was not clear where the weapon came from or what he planned to do with it.