Danish Police Arrest Two Somali Terror Suspects

[News_Editor]

Danish police arrest two Somali terror suspects < br />

2012-05-30 06:32:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (BNO NEWS) -- Danish security services have arrested two Danish brothers originally from Somalia on suspicion they were plotting a terrorist attack, officials said on Tuesday. Few other details about the case were immediately released.

The two brothers, aged 18 and 23, were arrested on late Monday evening at two separate locations. One of them was arrested at his place of residence in Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, while the other was arrested upon his arrival by plane at the international airport in Copenhagen.

"The detainees are suspected of planning a terrorist act by, among other activities, having discussed the method, the target and the weapon types to be used," the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) said in a statement on Tuesday. One of the brothers is believed to have underwent training at a camp belonging to the Somali militant group al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab is the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts which took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Despite efforts from the Somali and Ethiopian governments, the group has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The African nation has been without an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown two decades ago.

Danish authorities said the two brothers, who are both Danish citizens of Somali origin, have been living in Denmark's Aarhus region for approximately sixteen years. Officials carried out searches at their two addresses in Aarhus on Monday and Tuesday.

"As a result of the arrests, PET believes that a specific act of terrorism has been averted, and as such the perceived threat level against Denmark is not affected, although it remains high," the security service said in its statement. It did not identify when or where the alleged terror attack was to be carried out.

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