Berlin:  A 32-year-old Iranian man has been detained in Germany on suspicion of preparing a deadly chemical attack, according to authorities on Sunday. According to police and prosecutors, the man and another person were held overnight in Castrop-Rauxel, a town northwest of Dortmund.

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They claimed in a joint statement that the man is believed to have planned a serious attack driven by Islamic extremism for which he allegedly obtained the highly toxic substances ricin and cyanide. Specialists carrying evidence out of the man's home were wearing anti-contamination suits, according to the German news agency dpa.

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As per tabloid newspaper Bild, German authorities were informed of the alleged plans for a chemical attack by an allying intelligence agency.

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A Tunisian man and his wife were detained by German police five years ago on suspicion of preparing to launch a ricin attack in support of the Islamic State group. They were later found guilty and given sentences of 10 and 8 years in prison, respectively.