German prosecutors have filed serious charges against a 15-year-old from the Augsburg region of Bavaria, accusing him of planning a terror attack on a synagogue in a plot that came to light only after a homemade explosive device detonated in his own hands, according to a report in the Augsburger Allgemeine.
The indictment, brought by the general prosecutor's office in Munich after a lengthy investigation, charges the teenager with preparing a serious act of violence endangering state security, illegal possession of explosive materials, causing an explosive detonation, and causing dangerous bodily harm.
According to the report, also cited by Ynet, the investigation began last fall after the teenager allegedly stockpiled a 3kg of pyrotechnic devices and explosive materials with the intent of assembling lethal charges. He also had other suspicious items and evidence on his devices and in his room.
In late October 2025, the teenager detonated a homemade tennis ball-sized "Kugelbombe" (sphere bomb) made from pyrotechnic materials. The explosive material ignited during assembly, and the resulting blast severed two of his fingers. A friend who was present at the time was lightly injured. He lost two fingers, and a friend sustained minor injuries. This self-inflicted accident triggered the investigation.
Investigators uncovered instructional materials and evidence pointing to the teenager's intent to target a synagogue in the area. Reports mention the Ohel Jakob Synagogue in Munich as a potential focus.
Earlier statements from Germany's general prosecutor's office had already revealed that the teenager expressed explicit support and sympathy for the Islamic State terror organization. He is currently being held in pretrial detention while his defense attorney denies the allegations and stresses that the presumption of innocence stands until the legal process concludes.
The indictment comes against a backdrop of concerning growth in attacks and attempted attacks against Jewish communities across Germany and Europe more broadly in recent months. German law enforcement and security officials say they are contending with a wave of radicalization among youth exposed to extremist and terror-related content on social media, and are investing increased resources in securing synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers nationwide.
