Updated

Federal German prosecutors are investigating a 12-year-old boy who allegedly attempted to set off a nail bomb in the southern city of Ludwigshafen.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate confirmed to reporters Friday that the federal prosecutors' office was investigating the case, but referred further questions to prosecutors.

Prosecutors did not immediately return calls, but spokesman Stefan Biehl confirmed to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper his office was investigating.

Focus magazine first reported the case, citing unidentified sources saying the boy was born in Germany to Iraqi parents, who consented to having him taken into youth detention.

Focus reported the device found Dec. 5 was a glass jar packed with nails and material from firecrackers. Police said it would have burned but not explode.