Iraqis held in Switzerland over ‘plan to attack Europe’

SWISS authorities have admitted secretly holding three Iraqi citizens since March for allegedly supporting the Islamic State and planning an attack in Europe.

But details of the arrests have been kept under wraps until now so as not to jeopardise ongoing inquiries, officials said.

The three are also suspected of using explosives and toxic gases with criminal intent, of pornography offences and encouraging illegal access to and from Switzerland, the Swiss public prosecutor said a statement.

The trio, who were not named and have not yet been charged, are in detention while investigations continue.

Switzerland has sought assistance from European authorities, the prosecutors said.

A joint investigation team comprising officers from Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Police and the FBI had also been set up, they said.

It is the first such partnership between the countries.

“No further details relating to this particular criminal investigation can be provided for operational reasons,” the prosecutors’ statement said.

The government has previously banned any Islamic State activities in Switzerland.

It outlawed any form of support for the militant organisation, such as fundraising or recruitment.