A special SEK police unit detained an allegedly high-ranking member of the self-styled "Islamic State" (IS) group in the town of Mutterstadt in the state of Rhineland Palatinate on Friday, August 5. His identity was not revealed.

German news agency DPA reported that the man was detained following a tipoff from a prisoner in the western city of Gelsenkirchen, to the north of Mutterstadt, in the neighboring state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Police from both states reportedly worked together on the case, with police from the city of Duisburg leading the operation.

DPA also reported that the suspect was connected to alleged threats tied to the start of the German Bundesliga season this month. Many of Germany's top football clubs are based in the north and west of the country.

A spokesman from the Rhineland Palatinate interior ministry, confirmed the arrest to several German outlets, although the state interior minister could not be reached for comment.

ss/msh (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)