Security chief says EURO 2008 not a terror target

With EURO 2008 mentioned as a potential terror target in a random conversation among extremists, the tournament's security chiefs downplayed any possibilities of an attack.

Martin Jaeggi, head of Switzerland's security operations for the June tournament, did not believe the recent arrests of three people could be directly linked to an attack on the event. Police said it did not appear attacks were actively being planned, no one had been charged with crimes and the only mention of the tournament was in a conversation.

"It seems EURO 2008 was mentioned in passing in talks between these alleged extremists but not in a way that needs to be taken seriously," Jaeggi said. "On the other hand, it is clearly a good thing that we are receiving this information so we can clarify the situation."

Jaeggi said the tournament would put a strain on Switzerland's security forces, and French and German forces would be on call, if needed. An agreement already is in place with France. Talks are ongoing with Germany.

Jaeggi said matches, held in Switzerland and Austria, would be classified as high, middle, or low risk.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.