Denmark arrests three people for allegedly planning terrorist attacks

11 months ago 32

Denmark’s National Security and Intelligence Service detained three people suspected of planning terrorist attacks, Flemming Drejer, the body’s head of operations, announced at a press conference on Thursday.

The operation, which began early on Thursday morning, was led by the National Security and Intelligence Service (PET) and involved several Danish police forces.

“Three people have been arrested in Denmark and will be remanded in custody this afternoon,” Drejer said on Thursday.

While it is still unclear what the suspicion specifically concerns, PET noted that the persons are part of an international network.

According to local media reports, an operation was carried out in Odense and the railway station in Aarhus was also cordoned off on Thursday morning. Still, police have yet to confirm whether this incident is related to the suspicion of preparation for a terrorist offence.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the situation “extremely serious”.

“This shows what a serious situation Denmark is in,” she added.

In August, al-Qaeda called for attacks in Denmark in response to the recent Quran burnings that took place, Danmarks Radio reported. Denmark’s terror level threat has reached 4 of 5.

Faced with the uproar and threats caused by the Quran burnings, the Danish parliament passed a law last week making it illegal to desecrate in public the holy texts of religions recognised by the Danish state.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)