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Denmark arrests 'bomb' suspects | Denmark arrests 'bomb' suspects |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Danish police have arrested eight people with alleged links to al-Qaeda on suspicion of planning a bomb attack. | Danish police have arrested eight people with alleged links to al-Qaeda on suspicion of planning a bomb attack. |
The suspects, aged between 19 and 29, were arrested in Copenhagen and formed part of a terror cell with links to a senior al-Qaeda figure, police said. | |
They were of Afghan, Pakistani, Somali and Turkish origin and six were Danish citizens, police said. | |
Denmark's contribution to the US-led military campaign in Iraq has prompted fears that terrorists may target it. | Denmark's contribution to the US-led military campaign in Iraq has prompted fears that terrorists may target it. |
The country also drew anger from Muslims worldwide after a Danish newspaper last year printed cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. | The country also drew anger from Muslims worldwide after a Danish newspaper last year printed cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. |
'Unstable explosive' | 'Unstable explosive' |
Police said they raided 11 addresses overnight on Monday in and around Copenhagen. | |
Buildings in the city's southern suburb of Ishoej and its Noerrebro district - both with large immigrant populations - were among those cordoned off by police. | Buildings in the city's southern suburb of Ishoej and its Noerrebro district - both with large immigrant populations - were among those cordoned off by police. |
We have prevented a terror attack Jakob ScharfDanish police intelligence agency | |
The suspects had been under surveillance for some time and Danish investigators had liaised with "several foreign co-operation partners" before making the arrests, police said. | |
Later on Tuesday, two of the suspects, both 21, were remanded in custody for 27 days, with the first 13 days to be spent in solitary confinement. | |
The six others would probably be released after questioning, said Jakob Scharf, an official from the Danish police intelligence agency. | |
"We have prevented a terror attack," Mr Scharf said, but he gave no details of what might have been the intended target of the alleged bombers. | |
"We would describe the main suspects as militant Islamists with international contacts, including leading members of al-Qaeda," he added. | |
Danish security services have conducted two major raids on suspected terrorists since 2005. | Danish security services have conducted two major raids on suspected terrorists since 2005. |
In February, a court sentenced a Danish citizen of Palestinian origin for involvement in a plan to blow up a European target. | In February, a court sentenced a Danish citizen of Palestinian origin for involvement in a plan to blow up a European target. |
Another three defendants in the trial were acquitted. One of them is awaiting a retrial. | Another three defendants in the trial were acquitted. One of them is awaiting a retrial. |
And four men arrested last year in the city of Odense are due to go on trial on Wednesday on suspicion of planning terror attacks. | And four men arrested last year in the city of Odense are due to go on trial on Wednesday on suspicion of planning terror attacks. |