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TERRORISM

Isis video encourages Swiss terror attacks

In the wake of last week’s murderous terror attacks in Paris, the Islamic State group (Isis) has issued a disturbing video encouraging jihadists to launch a fresh round of violent attacks in Europe, including Switzerland.

Isis video encourages Swiss terror attacks
Photo: MEMRI-TV (Screenshot)

The video, which surfaced on the Internet on Wednesday, shows three bearded French-speaking men in Syria praising the French terrorists who killed 17 people — including 10 staff from the Charlie Hebdo humour magazine — and threatening further such actions across Europe.

The clip, apparently shot in Raqqa, a Syrian stronghold for jihadists, is featured on the Middle East Media Research Institute’s (MEMRI) website.

 “I say to all the French people who think that the Islamic State will not reach Europe, Allah willing we are coming to Europe,” the first unidentified man says into the camera.

“There will be more and more operations, like the recent one, in all of Europe, in France, in Belgium, in Germany, in Switzerland, everywhere in Europe and everywhere in America, Allah willing,” the man says.

He urges “brothers” who are unable to join the ranks of Isis to kill the “infidels”.

The man says that a Caliphate (Islamic form of government) will install itself in all of Europe.

“If you are unable to come to the Islamic Caliphate lands (presumably a reference to Syria and Iraq, where Isis is active), I say do your best, do whatever you can, kill them, slit their throats, burn their cars, burn their houses.”

Another man in the video, also speaking fluent but accented French, makes similar comments.

“We have heard the good tidings that our brothers have defended Islam, and sent those who criticized the prophet straight to hell.”

A third man encourages supporters to kill law enforcement officials.

“If you see a police officer, kill him,” he says.

“Kill them all.”

He adds that you should “not let these infidels persecute you . . .live honourably wherever you are.”

He then picks up the automatic weapon strung over his shoulder and waves it, saying “this is the true path of dignity and pride — to wage Jihad”.

The message came a day after British Islamist Anjem Choudary praised the Paris terrorists on Lebanese TV, saying “may Allah accept them in paradise”.

See also: GERMAN POLICE INVESTIGATE JIHADIST GROUP

Swiss media reported that the men speaking in Wednesday’s message spoke French with different accents, respectively from north Africa, west Africa and the Paris suburbs.

With six days to go before the opening of the World Economic Forum in Davos, these developments are disquieting, Le Temps newspaper commented.

The Swiss Army will have a contingent of 3,000 soldiers in place for security at the international summit in the canton of Graubünden.

France and other European governments have announced measures to boost anti-terrorism strategies.

In Germany, for example, Justice Minister Heiko Maas is set to submit plans for tougher security laws.

In Switzerland, Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said last week that nothing had changed for security risks in the country after the Paris attacks.

Such events were already envisioned some years ago when the government became aware “we must be ready everywhere and at all times to ensure security”, Maurer told broadcaster SRF.

But he added that there was “never absolute security in an open and free society”.

For more on one of the individuals in the Isis video, check this report from AFP.

CRIME

Hoax bomb threats against French airports ‘traced to Swiss email’

Repeated bomb threats against dozens of French airports which led to evacuations and flight cancellations have been 'traced to an email address in Switzerland', according to French authorities.

Hoax bomb threats against French airports 'traced to Swiss email'

More than 70 bomb threats have been made against French airports in the past week, leading to evacuations at dozens of airports and at least 130 flights cancelled.

Most of the alerts were triggered by emails warning of a bomb in the airport – more than 70 such emails have been received by airports around the country such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, Paris Beauvais, Marseille and dozens of smaller airports – including Basel-Mulhouse on the Franco-Swiss border. 

On Sunday French Transport Minister Clément Beaune said that “almost all of the threats have been traced to the same email address, situated in Switzerland”.

He added: “Since Wednesday, it is almost always the same email address that is used, located outside the European Union, in Switzerland”.

He called on hosting sites to help the French authorities, saying: “Everyone has a responsibility, including the platforms and social networks, not to support this kind of attack and to cooperate as quickly as possible with the French civil aviation authorities and our justice system.”

In France, the maximum penalty for making a hoax bomb threat is two years in jail and a €30,000 fine.

As well as airport evacuations and flight disruption, French tourist sites have also been hit with bomb hoaxes – the Palace of Versailles has been evacuated seven times in the past week.

It comes in the context of a tense situation in France as the country raised its terror alert to maximum after an apparent Islamist attack on Friday, October 13th in which a teacher was killed and two others wounded.

Security at large events such as the Rugby World Cup matches has been stepped up. 

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