Police maintain presence at German Cathedral following terror alert

Cologne Cathedral, which has been heavily guarded following a terror alert, will be protected by police officers until further notice, even after the New Year celebrations passed without incident, reported dpa.

"There will continue to be security checks at the cathedral," a police spokesman said on Monday. "How long this measure will be maintained is currently under review." Police officers will continue to be seen at the cathedral for the time being, the spokesman said.

Shortly before Christmas, the police received information about a possible Islamist plan to attack Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, leading to increased security measures in and around the building.

On Christmas Eve, a 30-year-old Tajik was taken into custody "to avert danger." The police then announced on New Year's Eve that they had arrested three more suspects. Police believe that the Tajik was part of a larger network that also extended to other German states and other European countries.

Despite the security concerns New Year's Eve at Cologne Cathedral remained without any major incidents. The Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, celebrated an end-of-year mass with the faithful under heavy police protection.