OSAC Threat Assessment: 2020 Munich Security Conference

OSAC Threat Assessment:
                           2020 Munich Security Conference
                                                                           Research and Information Support Center (RISC)

        EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

        The 2020 Munich Security Conference (MSC) will take place over the February 14-16 weekend at
        Hotel Bayerischer Hof. This year marks the MSC’s 56th meeting, which will attract more than 500
        high-level participants, including heads of government, ministers, members of parliament, heads
        of international organizations, international CEOs, accredited press, and other stakeholders.
        Currently, OSAC is not aware of any credible or specific threats against the MSC or its participants.
        Protests aimed at the event may cause some localized disruptions, and there is a general risk of
        terrorism throughout Europe. The following assessment provides information on potential
        security concerns to the private sector during the event.

        LOGISTICS AND HOST-NATION SECURITY

        There will be temporary roadblocks and stopping bans, which will most likely result in
        considerable traffic. There will also be parking bans. Illegally parked vehicles in these no-stopping
        zones will be towed. There is also the likelihood that there may be occasional temporary no-go
        zones outside the extended area of downtown Munich. The trams and buses will also likely be
        partially affected. Tram line 19 between Karlsplatz and Maxmonument will be diverted via
        Sendlinger-Tor-Platz. However, police are advising individuals planning to drive into the city during
        the conference to consider the use of public transportation instead. Additional travel time should
        be allotted since trams will be diverting around the security zone, and heavier than usual
        congestion is possible. More information on travel disruptions will be available on the Munich
        transit authority’s website (MVV) and on BayernInfo.

        There will be heightened security posture in the vicinity of the hotel, and the Munich city center.
        In 2019, roughly 4,000 local police officers and soldiers were deployed to support the MSC, and
        similar numbers are most likely to be deployed this year. The venue can only be accessed by
        attendees of the conference from Friday, February 14, 6:00am to Sunday, February 16, 5:00pm.

        The security zone will include Promanadenplatz, Prannerstraße, Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße,
        Hartmannstraße, and Karmeliterstraße. Only pre-cleared individuals and those who have event
        passes will be allowed to enter the zone. Individuals entering the security zone will be required to
        present their IDs/passes and may have their belongings searched. No street parking will be
        allowed in the security zone and police may redirect traffic patterns in the vicinity.

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

Police are advising individuals who are planning to drive into the city during the conference to use
        public transportation instead. If traveling by vehicle, travelers should incorporate adequate
        transportation time mostly due to vehicular traffic belonging to the large number of official
        convoys. Drones will also be banned, even for official media reporting.

        CRIME

        Crime in Munich does not pose a significant security challenge for visitors. Hotel Bayerischer Hof
        is located in Old Town Munich, in the vicinity of Fünf Höfe shopping mall, and about a quarter of
        a mile away from Marienplatz, Munich’s central square. Violent crime targeting visitors is rare, as
        the most prevalent concern is related to street crime and petty theft. Tourist areas such as train
        stations, Internet cafes, crowded restaurants, and outdoor markets are typically locations where
        petty thieves operate. Travelers can mitigate most crime risk by keeping valuables secure (such as
        in a hotel safe) and maintaining good situational awareness in public.

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

The use of trains – particularly the U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems – can be very convenient.
        Transportation centers and trains, however, are an appealing target for criminals and terrorists.
        Despite any enhanced security, these venues remain a soft target. Crimes are common in and
        around U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems and stations. Crime is often in direct proportion to the
        lateness of the hour.

        There have been multiple media accounts of conflicts between male refugees and women
        throughout Germany. Events in Cologne in 2015/2016, coupled with the terror attacks over the
        past three years, have led to a more robust and proactive approach to policing and securing large
        public events. The 2016 New Year’s Eve celebrations saw an increased police presence and fewer
        complaints of assaults, as police report having expelled large numbers of aggressive young men
        from the scenes of the previous year’s attacks. In 2017, a ”women’s safety zone” was introduced
        to further combat and respond to the indecent attacks committed during New Year’s Eve
        celebrations. Throughout the year, there were multiple reports of inappropriate behavior by
        suspected refugees at public pools and spas. The alleged behavior involves, but was not limited
        to, harassment and unwanted physical contact. There have also been reports of assaults or
        harassment based on other factors, such as sexual orientation, nationality, and religion. One such
        report involved suspects throwing rocks at a transgender individual. In another case, a refugee
        stabbed another refugee for wearing a crucifix.

        Extensive information regarding reported crime statistics and German crime prevention programs
        is available in several languages on the Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA website.

        Cybersecurity Issues

        Cybercrime remains a major concern. Recently, cyber-attacks in Germany targeting information
        infrastructures, government institutions, businesses, and private citizens have increased in
        frequency and complexity. The MSC and its attendees could be an attractive target for cyber
        hacktivists, who could use viruses and other malware, website defacement, denial of service
        attacks, or online campaigns to further their objectives.

        TERRORISM

        There is a general risk of terrorism throughout Europe, and in Munich. However, the MSC has not
        been specifically targeted by Islamist extremists. Currently, OSAC is not aware of any specific,
        credible terrorist threats against the MSC 2020. The MSC does not appear to be a priority target
        for Islamist extremist actors targeting Europe, as their focus is usually on soft target locations with
        potentially high civilian casualties. More targeted attacks have been directed against police and
        military personnel, religious interests, and public personalities critical of Islam.

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

Extreme far-right groups have gained some traction in Germany, re-energized by the recent
        refugee crisis. As a result, terror attacks, harassment, vandalism, arson, and threats of violence
        against refugees and immigrants have been on the rise. Authorities estimate that there are 2,360
        right-wing extremists in Bavaria, of whom 1000 are potentially violent. In 2018, there were 63
        violent crimes, mostly assaults, and 1,771 crimes categorizes as non-violent, including anti-
        Semitism, hate crimes, sedition, and damage to public property. In October 2019 in Halle, an
        individual armed with a gun attempted to gain entry to a synagogue; when the assailant was
        unable to do so, he turned his weapon on a woman passing by and later at a nearby restaurant,
        killing two people. After the capture of the attacker, police reported that the individual almost
        certainly had far right motivations for conducting the attack.

        DEMONSTRATIONS

        Protests occur annually in Munich during the MSC. In the early 2000s, the MSC meeting drew a
        significant anti-war protest crowd that tended to be vocal and, at times, violent. Since 2009,
        protest intensity has abated considerably. Although there is potential for unscheduled
        demonstrations to occur, protests associated with the MSC in recent years have been registered
        with police, largely peaceful, and manageable from a law enforcement perspective. Overall,
        however, there is an increase in the targeting of law enforcement / emergency responders by
        young people. On several occasions, emergency responders have been verbally and physically
        harassed by onlookers when responding to requests for medical services in public areas. When
        law enforcement responds to the incident, the aggressors turn their attacks to the police, in order
        to film the police response and post the encounters on social media. This is a relatively new
        phenomena in Munich, though it is gaining momentum. Any presence of radical elements during
        demonstrations increases the risk for potential confrontation between protesters and police.

        While the risk of violent crime and violent protests is generally low throughout Germany, the
        activities of certain extremist, anti-establishment groups may occasionally manifest in violent
        incidents. Actions of such groups have included graffiti/building defacement, arson, and attacks
        with rudimentary explosives.

        On February 14 and 15, there are two well-publicized rallies that are expected to take place. The
        first will begin at 6:30pm on February 14 at Gärtnerplatz. The demonstration will move from
        Gärtnerplatz via Reichenbachstraße - Frauenstraße - Tal - Marienplatz - Rindermarkt - Oberanger
        - Sendlinger-Tor-Platz - Sonnenstraße - Schwanthalerstraße - Paul-Heyse-Straße - Bayerstraße -
        Bahnhofsplatz - Luisenstraße - Elisenstraße - Lenbachplatz to Karlsplatz / Stachus (Please see
        below map for the protest path). The demonstration is scheduled to end at 9:15pm with the final
        rally.

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

VENUE: Hotel Bayerischer Hof

                                                                      START: February 14 at 6:30pm

        On Saturday, February 15, the Action Alliance Against the NATO Security Conference (Anti-SiKo)
        scheduled a rally at 1:00pm at Karlsplatz / Stachus, which is expected to continue until 3:00pm,
        when      they meet         at    Marienplatz.   The    expected     route    is as       follows:
        Karlsplatz, Lenbachplatz, Platz der Opfer des Nationalsozialismus, Brienner Straße, Odeonsplatz,
        Residenzstraße, Dienerstraße, Marienplatz (Please see below map for the protest path). In the
        past, these rallies attracted between 2,000-4,000 protesters; however, it was heavily policed and
        remained peaceful.

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

START: February 15 at 1:00pm              VENUE: Hotel Bayerischer Hof

        In addition to these scheduled protests, there could also be unscheduled protests that are pro-
        Kurdish, anti-Trump, and/or climate change-related, as the MSC offers a highly publicized avenue,
        giving groups greater publicity for their respective causes. Though demonstrations in recent years
        have been peaceful, OSAC members should generally avoid all protests and demonstrations,
        regardless of location.

        EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

        Hospital: Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstraße 22, Munich - Tel: 089-4140-2090

        The police may be reached by dialing 110 nationwide.
        The fire department and ambulance service may be reached by dialing 112.
        Munich Police Twitter feed: @PolizeiMuenchen

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.

U.S. Consulate Munich
        Königinstraße 5, 80539 Munich, Germany
        Phone Number: +49 89 28880
        Website: https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/munich/

        Munich Security Conference
        Website: https://www.securityconference.de/en/
        Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MunSecConf
        Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/MunSecConf

        Venue: Hotel Bayerischer Hof
        Promenadeplatz 2-6
        80333 Munich, Germany
        http://www.bayerischerhof.de/hbh_intro_flash_en.html

        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

        OSAC will monitor MSC security news and events and provide assessments and updates as necessary
        in the OSAC Daily Newsletter. Direct any questions regarding this report or the general security
        situation in Germany to OSAC’s Europe Team.

        ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

             -    OSAC 2019 Crime and Safety Report: Munich

             -    Bureau of Consular Affairs Country Information: Germany

             -    Munich Police Website

The contents of this (U) report in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United
 States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various
open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only.
Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation
                                                             of OSAC support.