Swiss open investigation into alleged terror plot

Achraf is being held in solitary confinement in a Zurich prison Keystone

The Swiss authorities have opened an investigation into the alleged leader of a radical Islamic group, who is suspected of plotting "terrorist activities" in Spain and Switzerland.

Mohamed Achraf, who is currently being held in a Swiss jail, is suspected by Spanish police of masterminding a foiled bomb attack on the country’s National Court.

On Friday the Swiss Federal Refugee Office confirmed that the 31-year-old Achraf had lodged an asylum claim in Switzerland in April 2003. Six months later, his application was turned down.

“After that, he disappeared,” said Federal Refugee Office spokesman Dominique Boillat.

Although not hunted by police, Achraf was arrested on August 28 and is currently being held in a detention centre for illegal immigrants at Zurich Airport.

He was awaiting deportation when officials learned he was allegedly linked to the Spanish plot.

Achraf was transferred to solitary confinement this week after his alleged terror ties emerged – thanks to information from Spanish police and fingerprints taken by Swiss authorities when he sought asylum in 2003.

Criminal links

Switzerland’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that Achraf was suspected of membership of a criminal organisation.

Spokesman Hansjürg Mark Wiedmer added that Swiss officials were working closely with the Spanish authorities.

He said there had been meetings between representatives of the prosecutor’s office and the judge leading the Spanish investigation, Baltasar Garzon.

The Swiss justice ministry said it had received an arrest warrant from Spanish police for Achraf.

Spokesman Folco Galli said the warrant stated that Achraf was suspected of leading the bombing plot.

According to officials at the Spanish justice ministry, Madrid could reach a decision on Friday on whether to lodge a formal extradition request for Achraf.

Terror suspect

An official said earlier on Thursday that Achraf had been able to make telephone calls and send uncensored mail from his Swiss cell because prison authorities were unaware he was a terror suspect.

Viktor Gähwiler, head of prisons for canton Zurich, said he was surprised to learn that Achraf was believed to have masterminded an alleged plot to kill judges in Spain investigating Islamic militants.

Spanish police are believed to have intercepted calls made by Achraf and found mailed instructions from him.

“I got very angry when I learned from the media that we apparently had a highly dangerous terrorist with us,” said Gähwiler.

Gähwiler added that he had since ordered Achraf to be placed in solitary confinement. He said the lack of information from Swiss federal prosecutors was “surprising”.

Suspects rounded up

Seven other suspects were arrested on Monday in Madrid and southern Spain, and one more on Tuesday in the city of Pamplona.

Most are Algerian, and some are suspected of contacts with militants elsewhere in Europe, the United States and Australia.

The alleged terror cell is also believed to have links to the Netherlands. One suspect taken in by the Dutch authorities is reported to have been forging passports for a terror network.

Spanish officials had earlier claimed that the Swiss-held suspect was arrested at the request of Garzon.

Garzon has been leading Spanish terror investigations launched in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the US.

The latest arrests come seven months after the March 11 train bombings in Madrid, which killed 191 people. They have been blamed on Muslim militants linked to al-Qaeda.

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Key facts

Timeline:

April 6, 2003: Achraf lodges asylum claim with Swiss authorities.
October 22, 2003: Federal Refugee Office rejects his application; Achraf goes underground.
August 28, 2004: Achraf is arrested by Swiss police and transferred to a detention centre at Zurich Airport.
October 20, 2004: Spanish police name Achraf as suspect in alleged plot to bomb National Court in Madrid.
October 21, 2004: Spanish authorities issue arrest warrant for Achraf; Swiss Federal Prosecutor opens investigation into his alleged links to “terrorist activities”.