Switzerland's spy chief warns of increasing terrorism threat
The director of Switzerland's Intelligence Service has issued a warning about the rising trend of radicalization among Swiss youths. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The head of the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service, Christian Dussey, has issued a warning about the increasing radicalization of young people in Switzerland, particularly in the context of the growing threat of Islamic terrorism.
Dussey highlighted that the rise in radicalized youth is largely due to a propaganda campaign from the jihadist group Islamic State (IS, previously known as ISIS). In an interview with the daily newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, published on Thursday, Dussey noted, “We have noticed that the problem has become more acute in recent months.” He also remarked that Switzerland has “an above-average number of cases of radicalized young people compared to other European countries," according to the Intelligence Service chief.
He pointed out that during the first half of this year, approximately 30 individuals were arrested across Europe on suspicions of planning terrorist attacks, surpassing the total number for all of 2023. Dussey mentioned that several arrests linked to terrorism have occurred in recent weeks.
The most likely scenario for a potential attack in Switzerland, according to him, would involve “an act of violence perpetrated by an isolated individual inspired by jihadism.” He provided the example of a 15-year-old suspect who attacked an Orthodox Jew in Zurich in March, resulting in serious injuries. The teenager had previously appeared in a video expressing allegiance to Islamic State.
In a related context, three concerts by US pop sensation Taylor Swift were canceled in Austria earlier this month following the arrest of two suspects accused of plotting terrorist attacks at these events. Austrian security officials indicated that a 19-year-old, who had pledged allegiance to IS, was allegedly intending to target “a large crowd of people” using explosives and knives.
Additionally, in August, Russian authorities detained two religious figures for their suspected involvement in recruiting fighters for IS, with the nation’s interior ministry noting a concerning rise in terrorism and extremism-related crimes during the first half of this year.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Dussey highlighted that the rise in radicalized youth is largely due to a propaganda campaign from the jihadist group Islamic State (IS, previously known as ISIS). In an interview with the daily newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, published on Thursday, Dussey noted, “We have noticed that the problem has become more acute in recent months.” He also remarked that Switzerland has “an above-average number of cases of radicalized young people compared to other European countries," according to the Intelligence Service chief.
He pointed out that during the first half of this year, approximately 30 individuals were arrested across Europe on suspicions of planning terrorist attacks, surpassing the total number for all of 2023. Dussey mentioned that several arrests linked to terrorism have occurred in recent weeks.
The most likely scenario for a potential attack in Switzerland, according to him, would involve “an act of violence perpetrated by an isolated individual inspired by jihadism.” He provided the example of a 15-year-old suspect who attacked an Orthodox Jew in Zurich in March, resulting in serious injuries. The teenager had previously appeared in a video expressing allegiance to Islamic State.
In a related context, three concerts by US pop sensation Taylor Swift were canceled in Austria earlier this month following the arrest of two suspects accused of plotting terrorist attacks at these events. Austrian security officials indicated that a 19-year-old, who had pledged allegiance to IS, was allegedly intending to target “a large crowd of people” using explosives and knives.
Additionally, in August, Russian authorities detained two religious figures for their suspected involvement in recruiting fighters for IS, with the nation’s interior ministry noting a concerning rise in terrorism and extremism-related crimes during the first half of this year.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
