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Special forces from the fire brigade in protective suits after their deployment in Castrop-Rauxel on Monday
Photo: Bernd Thissen / dpa
According to media reports, the brothers arrested in the course of an anti-terrorist operation in Castrop-Rauxel expected a delivery of castor beans on the day before the attack or on the day itself.
This should emerge from chats on the cell phones of the two Iranians, as reported by the dpa news agency and "Focus online", citing investigators.
In principle, it is possible to produce a deadly poison from the seeds.
According to the reports, it is unclear whether the delivery arrived.
Nothing was initially found during a search of the 32-year-old suspect's apartment and two garages.
The investigations against the 32-year-old and his 25-year-old brother continue.
The 25-year-old's defense attorney said "Focus online" that he wanted to wait and see the files first.
His client initially made use of his right to remain silent.
The two men were arrested by a special task force on Saturday night.
The Attorney General in Düsseldorf accuses them of conspiring to commit a crime.
It's about murder.
There may be an ingredient missing to make the poison
According to SPIEGEL information, the FBI is said to have given German authorities the first tip about those arrested as early as Christmas.
Apparently, the Americans had infiltrated the Telegram chat group, in which the two suspected perpetrators are said to have first asked about bomb construction plans and later about toxins.
There were therefore initial indications that the brothers probably wanted to strike on New Year's Eve.
However, they may have been missing an ingredient to produce the poison, which could not have been delivered until after the turn of the year, officials said.
It was initially not clear whether these were the castor beans now mentioned.
One of the two brothers is said to have made several appearances to the police and was currently undergoing psychiatric treatment.
(Read more about the suspects here.) According to SPIEGEL information, the main suspect is Monir J., a 32-year-old refugee.
From Telegram chats it can be concluded that he is a suspected IS sympathizer.
A neighbor described him as a quiet, unassuming young man.
kko/dpa
