Cologne attacks overshadow carnival

BERLIN — Police arrested two suspected Islamic extremists on Thursday as part of a series of raids across Germany as the city of Cologne began a five-day carnival amid heightened security following robberies and sexual assaults on New Year's Eve that targeted hundreds of women.

The raids took place in Berlin, at refugee centers in Hanover and in Attendorn, a town about 50 miles from Cologne. Two Algerian suspects were detained. Police said the men had suspected links to the Islamic State, news agency DPA reported.

Cologne has drafted in an extra 2,500 police officers and spent an additional $450,000 to boost security across the region during its week-long carnival that has been celebrated for several hundred years. The highlight of the event is Rose Monday, when colorful and topical floats and sculptures join thousands of revelers for a massive parade. About a million people are expected to take part in the festivities.

Prosecutors have received 1,037 criminal complaints over the New Year events, including 446 allegations of sexual assault, three of them rape. Criminal proceedings have begun against 50 people. Eleven of those are in custody. Most of the suspects are from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Several are asylum seekers.

The events are widely credited with sparking a backlash against migrants and foreigners in Germany and have increased pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her approval ratings continue to slip over her decision to allow 1.1 million migrants to enter German territory to seek asylum.

A poll by state-backed broadcaster ARD showed that just 18% of respondents now believe the German government has the crisis under control.

"The dimension of the crime and especially sexually motivated attacks on girls and women, which also happened in other cities, has caused a high level of insecurity," said Henriette Reker, Cologne's mayor, in a press conference earlier this week.