The threat that had not yet been clearly defined against Christopher Street Day in Gelsenkirchen for spring 2025 turned out to be apparently Islamist‑motivated, the “Spiegel” reports. The queer parade was scheduled for 17 May 2025 with around 600 participants, but the organizers canceled it in the final minutes with a press release citing a “diffuse security situation”. They warned that the cancellation would have a devastating effect on the community’s visibility, while emphasizing that the safety of all participants is their top priority.
Earlier that morning the North Rhine‑Westphalian State Criminal Police (Landeskriminalamt NRW) became aware of a TikTok video in which a male suspect announced an impending attack. Law‑enforcement deemed the threat credible. An investigation of the suspect’s profile found a black flag behind a “Taqwīd” the so‑called Tauhid finger, a symbol denoting belief in one God. Both icons are used by Islamist extremists.
The suspect is apparently a teenager living in Switzerland. The responsible juvenile prosecutor’s office is still investigating, a spokesperson for the Lucerne Prosecutor’s Office said, and could provide no further details at this time.
