Swiss Arrest 2 Syrians on Terror Charges

They're accused of transporting explosives and having jihadist ties
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 12, 2015 11:05 AM CST
Swiss Arrest 2 Syrians on Terror Charges
A Swiss border guard controls the area at the French-Swiss border due to a high level of alert on Friday.   (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Two people from Syria were arrested on terror charges Friday in Geneva and traces of explosives were found in their vehicle, AFP reports. The arrests come after Swiss authorities received a tip from US intelligence that indicated an ISIS cell was active in Geneva, according to the BBC. ABC News reports Geneva raised its terror threat level Thursday in response to the tip. According to AFP, the arrested men have been accused of the "manufacture, concealment, and transport of explosives and toxic gases" and of supporting "groups like Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and similar organizations."

The arrests were announced as part of a "terror probe" by Swiss authorities Saturday, AFP reports. Police have been deployed around Geneva as the city remains on alert. In addition to being the UN's European headquarters, many international organizations active in Syria—including the International Organization for Migration and UN High Commissioner for Refugees—are also based in Geneva, according to ABC. The BBC reports the same source who claims US intelligence found an active ISIS cell in Geneva also states two more were identified in Chicago and Toronto. (More Switzerland stories.)

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