Germany's federal prosecutor said on Thursday that "it had applied for an arrest warrant against a man detained after the bomb attack on a bus" carrying Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund earlier this week, according to James Shotter of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The prosecutor's office said that the man, whom it identified as 26-year-old Iraqi Abdul Beset A., was "suspected of having been a member" of ISIS in Iraq. But the office said that it had "so far found no evidence that he had been involved in Tuesday's attack on Dortmund's bus" (FT, 4/13). In London, Hall & Burke reported "confession" letters found close to the scene of Tuesday's bombing, which injured Spanish int'l Marc Bartra, blamed German involvement in Syria -- but made "no mention of support for ISIS." Prosecutors "cast doubt over whether the suspect was responsible, meaning the real terrorist could still be at large." Officials are, however, "seeking to detain the man over allegations he led a terror cell of 10 fighters in Iraq," which aimed to "prepare kidnappings, abductions, extortion and killings." Beset A. was seized in Wuppertal, Germany. Media reports said that he had been "on the radar of police and intelligence agencies for some time" after intercepted telephone calls alerted authorities to his "Jihadist leanings" (DAILY MAIL, 4/13). The BBC reported German prosecutors said that Beset A. traveled to Turkey, and then to Germany in early '16, while "maintaining contact with IS jihadists." He appeared in court on Thursday, and is "expected to be formally arrested in connection with the bus attack." A 28-year-old German man is also "under suspicion, but has not been arrested" (BBC, 4/13).
KLOPP REACTS: In London, Andy Hunter reported Liverpool Manager and former Dortmund Manager Jürgen Klopp said that UEFA "underestimated Tuesday's bomb attack on Borussia Dortmund" when forcing Dortmund to play its Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Monaco "less than 24 hours later." Klopp "did not condemn" UEFA's decision outright, conceding the postponement left the governing body in an "awkward position," but believes the effect on Dortmund's players was "not taken into consideration." Klopp said, "I'm pretty sure if some of the people who made the decision had been on the bus they would not have played the game but when you are not on the bus you cannot really imagine how it was exactly. But the game is over, it is done. What can I say? They have a few days to try to learn to live with it" (GUARDIAN, 4/13). REUTERS' Neil Robinson reported Klopp said that he was "proud of his former team." Klopp: "I was really proud of Borussia Dortmund. When they played the game, they tried to give the best. I saw the faces of my former players and I saw the shock in their eyes and that was really, really hard. It will take time to deal with it" (REUTERS, 4/13). In London, Warren & King reported Klopp was asked about the incident and, "after a long pause and looking visibly moved," he said, "First of all, what I say isn't important ... What can I say? Really, really difficult moment for everyone. I don't know how often I have been in that hotel down the years. I know exactly where it is on that road" (DAILY MAIL, 4/13).
'COMPLETELY IGNORED': REUTERS' Dove & Homewood reported Borussia Dortmund Manager Thomas Tuchel said that "his team felt ignored by UEFA." Tuchel said, "When they told us, 'You're up tomorrow,' we felt completely ignored. They treated it as if a beer can had been thrown at the bus" (REUTERS, 4/13). The LONDON TIMES reported Dortmund defender Sokratis said that he felt he had been treated like an "animal and not a person." Sokratis: "I am happy that I am alive. It was the most difficult day in my life and I hope that nobody else has to live this day. After yesterday, I don't have any more space to think about the game" (LONDON TIMES, 4/13).
UEFA RESPONDS: In London, Luke Brown reported UEFA responded to criticism for the rescheduling of the match by insisting that it "did not receive any information prior to the fixture that the German side did not want to play." In the wake of "mounting criticism," UEFA issued a statement in which it claimed the rescheduled fixture went ahead "in cooperation and complete agreement" with the two clubs. UEFA: "The decision to play the Uefa Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco FC on Wednesday at 18.45CET was made on Tuesday night at the BvB Stadion Dortmund in cooperation and complete agreement with clubs and authorities. Uefa was in touch with all parties on Wednesday and never received any information which suggested that any of the teams did not want to play" (INDEPENDENT, 4/13).
