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Terrorism

French, Swiss police detain ten in anti-terror raids

November 7, 2017

French and Swiss police have detained ten people suspected of preparing a possible attack in coordinated anti-terror raids. A 23-year-old Colombian woman and 27-year-old Swiss man were reportedly among those detained.

https://p.dw.com/p/2nDrE
Hooded police officers sit in a police car in Paris, France
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/C. Ena

A total of ten people were detained in counterterrorism operations in France and Switzerland on Tuesday.

Nine of the suspects were detained in France and one was detained in Switzerland, according to French officials. Some of the suspects had been flagged for Islamic radicalization.

From IS victim to terrorist hunter

Read more: German police detain Syrian for 'preparing' explosives attack

Swiss police took a 23-year-old Colombian woman into custody as part of a Swiss investigation into suspected terrorist activity and Islamist militant groups such as the "Islamic State" (IS) and al-Qaida.

A 27-year-old Swiss man was also arrested in a parallel operation in France. A source close to the probe told French news agency AFP that the man had been in contact with a 14-year-old French boy who was "about to carry out" an attack.

A French security official who spoke to the Associated Press said the suspected plot did not appear to be fully developed, but authorities were concerned the group was moving towards action.

Read more: Belgium: Prosecutors charge two suspects over foiled 2015 Thalys attack

The suspects were being questioned following raids in Paris suburbs, southeastern France and western Switzerland.

Those arrested were aged from 18 to 65 years, a French judicial source told Reuters news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Read more: Police carry out raids, make arrest in Berlin Islamist scene

Communicated via Telegram

Authorities launched investigations after noting suspicious activity from a person using the encrypted messaging app Telegram. A Swiss-based suspect had communicated with people in France using Telegram and other social networks about unspecified violent acts, according to French authorities.

The arrests took place one week after France introduced stricter national security laws to permanently replace emergency powers that had been given to intelligence services and police following deadly attacks on Paris two years ago.

Over 240 people have been killed in France since 2015 in attacks carried out by militants or assailants inspired by IS.

rs/rc  (AP, AFP, Reuters)