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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Swiss probe Muslim group member over Syria videos | Swiss probe Muslim group member over Syria videos |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Swiss authorities are investigating a leading figure in a prominent Muslim organisation on terror-related charges over videos made in Syria. | |
| Prosecutors said the German suspect is a board member of the Islamic Central Council of Switzerland (ICCS). | |
| He is suspected of using videos of his trips to Syria for propaganda purposes. | He is suspected of using videos of his trips to Syria for propaganda purposes. |
| Switzerland remains on high alert following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November that left 130 people dead. | Switzerland remains on high alert following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November that left 130 people dead. |
| Last week, the city of Geneva raised its security alert following a warning that a cell of so-called Islamic State (IS) was in the area. | Last week, the city of Geneva raised its security alert following a warning that a cell of so-called Islamic State (IS) was in the area. |
| Swiss prosecutors did not name the suspect, but the ICCS said - in a statement announcing a press conference for Monday morning in Berne - that Naim Cherni would be among those taking part, and would give his personal response to the allegations. | |
| The Paris attacks | The Paris attacks |
| Heightened security | Heightened security |
| A statement from the Swiss attorney general's office said that criminal proceedings had been opened against the ICCS board member on suspicion of violating laws banning extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and IS. | A statement from the Swiss attorney general's office said that criminal proceedings had been opened against the ICCS board member on suspicion of violating laws banning extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and IS. |
| The suspect is said to have produced videos of his trips to conflict zones in Syria for propaganda purposes. | The suspect is said to have produced videos of his trips to conflict zones in Syria for propaganda purposes. |
| The attorney general's office said the man was "accused of having interviewed a senior member of the jihad umbrella organisation Jaish al-Fatah, of which the Syrian al-Qaeda branch, Jabhat al-Nusra, (al-Nusra Front) is also a member". | The attorney general's office said the man was "accused of having interviewed a senior member of the jihad umbrella organisation Jaish al-Fatah, of which the Syrian al-Qaeda branch, Jabhat al-Nusra, (al-Nusra Front) is also a member". |
| It said he had made the video "without explicitly distancing himself from al-Qaeda activities in Syria". | It said he had made the video "without explicitly distancing himself from al-Qaeda activities in Syria". |
| The office indicated that the man had not been arrested. | The office indicated that the man had not been arrested. |
| Separately, a statement by the authorities also confirmed that charges had been filed against four Iraqi citizens, accused of preparing a terrorist attack. | Separately, a statement by the authorities also confirmed that charges had been filed against four Iraqi citizens, accused of preparing a terrorist attack. |
| In total, Swiss authorities say they are conducting 46 criminal cases related to "jihad motivated" terrorism. | In total, Swiss authorities say they are conducting 46 criminal cases related to "jihad motivated" terrorism. |
| Last week, President Simonetta Sommaruga said a "foreign authority" had warned of a possible IS cell in Geneva. Security was stepped up. | Last week, President Simonetta Sommaruga said a "foreign authority" had warned of a possible IS cell in Geneva. Security was stepped up. |
| In a separate development, two Syrians were arrested on 12 December near the French border, with police saying that traces of explosives were found in their car. | |
| IS said it carried out the attacks in Paris on 13 November. Two men linked to the attacks - Salah Abdeslam and Mohammed Abrini - are still on the run and investigations have been launched in several European countries. | IS said it carried out the attacks in Paris on 13 November. Two men linked to the attacks - Salah Abdeslam and Mohammed Abrini - are still on the run and investigations have been launched in several European countries. |