IED found in German Christmas market

Potsdam -- An improvised explosive device (IED) was found by police in a Christmas market on December 1. The market was evacuated and re-opened the following day.

Police in the state of Brandenburg reported the IED was delivered to a pharmacy in Potsdam and an employee called police after opening the package and discovering the IED.

The device was defused by police a few hours later and found that it contained wires, nails and batteries, but no detonator nor a return address of the sender.

"We just don't know at this point if this was a device that could have actually exploded, or a fake, or a test," Interior Minister for Brandenburg Karl-Heinz Schröte told the media in German. 

Police are carrying out an investigation as to who sent it, but without that required return address, it will be difficult to get an answer.

ISIS has threatened to attack European cities during the Christmas season and circulated an image of Santa about to be beheaded by Jihadi John, who actually is dead. The image says: "Soon on your holidays."

At this point investigators do not think this specific threat targeted the market. "According to evidence so far, our investigators think it is rather unlikely that the Christmas market was the target." Potsdam police tweeted.

President Trump did not respond to the tease. 

But when asked about the IED, former Vice President Joe Biden said, "I didn't think they used those things anymore. They can cause all kinds of problems for women."


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