Seven Detained in Alleged Plot to Shoot Down Airliner in Switzerland
08 June 2006
Swiss prosecutors say they have detained seven people in connection to an alleged plot to shoot down an Israeli airliner at the Geneva airport.
The men have not been identified by name or nationality. But prosecutors say they come from North Africa.
They also say the first arrests began May 12 in Zurich and Basel, but they are only being made public Thursday.
Israeli and Swiss media had previously reported that a terrorist cell planned to launch a rocket attack on an El Al passenger plane during landing or takeoff in Geneva. Prosecutors have not confirmed those reports, but for a week in December El Al flights to Geneva landed in Zurich instead.
Prosecutors say the members of the cell had ties to similar cells in France and Spain, and authorities in those countries helped in the investigation.
Authorities also say one member of the Swiss cell had contacts with Mohammed Achraf who faces charges in Spain for plotting to bomb its highest court. Switzeralnd extradited Achraf to Spain in 2004.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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