Terrorism threat in Switzerland

World Affairs Talk
Wednesday, 06 June 2007
Islamic inspired terrorism is still a threat in Switzerland, a report on Switzerland's internal security said last week (May 2007). The Swiss Federal Police Office's annual report said that the country was in the "danger zone" in Western Europe and it can also be used as a logistical and propaganda base for the extremists. The report revealed that Switzerland was known to be a logistics, preparation, propaganda centre, and retreat for extremist groups. In terms of other concerns, the report found that the rightwing extremist scene within Switzerland had remained relatively stable in 2006, but that incidents linked to the extreme left had risen by 62 per cent since 2005. It said the main reason for this was the huge increase in the number of unofficial demonstrations of solidarity in support of alleged political prisoners. Switzerland seems to be an unlikely locus for a battle over jihadist Islamism, but according to reports, its Muslim citizens, who make up about 5% of the total population, increasingly look to radical Middle East clerics for spiritual guidance. The country is also home to a controversial professor, Tariq Ramadan, whose visa to come to America was revoked by the State Department. In another sign of the spread of Islam within Europe, last month, Swiss Muslims announced their plan to open " Europe's biggest Islamic center" in the capital city of Bern. The center is estimated to cover 84 acres and to cost as much as $66 million to build. In the past few years, it has become clear that al-Qaida often used untrained individuals to carry out attacks in Western Europe at unexpected times. Apart from its geographical location, individual supporters of Jihad see Switzerland as part of a plot against Islam. According to police information, there are active Islamic fundamentalists in Switzerland, among them extremists ready to use violence. The police also added that other crises and conflicts are also having a direct influence on Switzerland. This included the tensions in Sri Lanka, Turkey and Kosovo; Switzerland has a large immigrant population from Sri Lanka and Kosovo. Switzerland was also affected by international crime groups, especially mafia-style organisations active in heroin and prostitution, money laundering. Although no terrorist organizational structure has ever been detected in the country, the Swiss government proactively banned participation in such groups providing them physical or material support, organizing propaganda actions on their behalf or on behalf of their goals, requiring adherents or promoting their activities in any other way. Violation carries three years’ imprisonment or a fine. Additionally, the organization’s assets will be confiscated. To accomplish its goals in preventing terror threats, Switzerland passed a law instituting measures for the maintenance of internal security and requiring law enforcement authorities to adopt preventative measures to combat terrorism. In adherence to this new law, the Federal Police Office established a Division of Analysis and Prevention. This division has the responsibility for assessing possible terrorist threats. The government also motivated the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Police Office to set up the Task Force Terror USA to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation with foreign authorities. This task force serves as the center for coordinating Swiss terrorist investigations, defining missions of inquiry, evaluating reports, setting priorities, and establishing contact and cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the International Judicial Cooperation Division, within the Federal Justice Office, is responsible for dealing with request for judicial cooperation and extradition. Share & Bookmark
Last Updated ( Friday, 08 June 2007 )

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