Planned IS attack in Europe foiled
Bern, 31.10.2014 - At the end of March 2014, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) arrested three Iraqi citizens suspected of providing support to the criminal organisation known as the Islamic State (IS). They are thought to have been planning a terrorist attack in Europe.
The criminal investigation, which the OAG has been conducting since March 2014, was begun in response to information passed on to the Federal Criminal Police (FCP) by the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS). The suspected offences include supporting the Islamic State (IS), which is a criminal organisation, misuse of explosives and toxic gases with criminal intent, acts preparatory to criminal offences, pornography, and encouraging illegal entry to, exit from and residence in Switzerland. The three suspects have been held in pre-trial detention since the end of March 2014.
Although reports on this matter have already appeared in the media, the investigation has not been officially confirmed until today so as not to jeopardise the outcome of enquiries still ongoing in Switzerland and abroad. These enquiries aim to identify possible accomplices and to uncover networks in Switzerland and abroad.
Due to the international dimension of the case, the OAG has also called on the assistance of other states. In recent months, for example, the OAG has made several requests for mutual assistance to various European partner authorities.
The OAG has also been working closely on the case with American law enforcement authorities. A joint investigation team comprising officers from the FCP and the FBI has been set up. This form of cooperation between the two countries is based on the Operative Working Arrangement (OWA) between Switzerland and the USA on Law Enforcement Cooperation on Counterterrorism, which came into effect in 2006. The current case is the first practical example of cooperation based on the OWA.
By deploying a joint investigation team, the findings obtained from the investigations can be exchanged on a daily basis. A key aim of the OWA, however, is to ensure strict compliance with the rules on mutual assistance, i.e. the OWA prevents any circumvention of mutual assistance procedures and thus guarantees the legal rights of the persons concerned. It also makes reference to the international treaty between Switzerland and the USA on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, which is not affected by the Arrangement.
No further details relating to this particular criminal investigation can be provided for operational reasons.
The OAG is currently conducting around 20 proceedings concerned with militant jihadism, including five related to Syria. Further details of these cases cannot be released due to official secrecy and the confidentiality of the investigations.
Address for enquiries
Jeannette Balmer, Spokeswoman OAG, +41 58 464 32 40, info@ba.admin.ch
Publisher
Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland
http://www.ba.admin.ch/
