Austria, like virtually all of its European partners, is taking increased security measures to protect Christmas markets from terrorist attacks by Muslim jihadists. The below article from today's Austrian daily, Heute, is translated by Fousesquawk.
https://www.heute.at/s/staatsschutz-chef-weihnachtsmaerkte-potentielles-ziel-120008516
The danger is so high
State Security chief: Christmas markets "potential target"
This year, the police have significantly increased their presence at Christmas markets. These of, naturally, a target, but the DSN (State Security and Intelligence) -chief has no worries
By Newsdesk Today
December 9, 2023 at 20:50
Caption: He has no uneasy feelings, but State Security needs more options, their chief demands
By Sabine Hertl
Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, chief of the State Security and Intelligence Service (DSN), makes people sit up and take notice with a statement in an interview with the "Kleinen Zeitung". Though we currently live (We are in the second-highest alert threat level) "in a time of threats", he, nevertheless, has no uneasy feelings anywhere. There is no need to limit yourself.
But, "Naturally, Christmas markets are a potential target, especially in the extremist area. There have been repeated plans or attacks here in recent years." For this reason, the sensitivity is set very high, and, in concert with the police, covert and non-covert protective measures are put in place. "So our population doesn't need to fear when they enter a Christmas market," he reassures.
Heightened security at Christmas markets
At Austria's Christmas markets security is heightened compared to last year, the Interior Ministry tells "Kleinen Zeitung". There will be more patrols, and civilian officers will be on-site and in regular contact with stand operators. In Styria, for example, additional barriers will be installed.
Such attacks have already been planned in Germany, but the authorities have been able to prevent them in advance. In Austria, however, the DSN chief sees gaps. "We have a good overview in the area of extremism and terrorism, but we cannot say what will be communicated by encryption within these networks (for example, telegram, notes) There our hands are tied."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fousesquawk comment: Not exactly reassuring, is it?
No comments:
Post a Comment