Berlin - Islamist hotheads from Germany used to be actively encouraged to emigrate and seek a martyr's death in Syria and Afghanistan, a security official admits.
The policy was only changed at the end of last year, when authorities realised they were helping to boost groups like the Islamic State (ISIS).
Ludwig Schierghofer, head of the Bavarian state police anti-terrorism department, told dpa that "to protect our population", people at risk of mounting terrorist attacks had been allowed quick exits under a secret policy put in writing in 2009.