Austria on high alert following Denmark terror attacks: minister
Xinhua, February 17, 2015 Adjust font size:
Austria will keep a high level of security following the terror attacks in the Danish capital of Copenhagen over the weekend and will re-evaluate the situation, Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said Monday.
Security measures may be adopted after a new risk assessment although no direct link between Austria and the deadly attacks has been established, she told the Austria Press Agency (APA) in an interview.
"We now need to clarify the facts, analyze, and evaluate," she said, adding that while there is a cause for concern and caution, there is none for panic.
"The police must be well-prepared for the worst-case - with our security offensive, that is assured," the interior minister said.
She also warned against extreme political or social reactions, saying the perpetrators of such attacks attempt to cause divisions in society with fear and terror, and if this is allowed to take place, "they have already won."
The minister said she had a telephone conversation with Danish Justice Minister Mette Fredriksen on Monday, expressing solidarity and sending condolences to the families of the victims.
"It must be clear to everyone that our unity and determination is something nothing and no one can shake," she said.
Two separate shooting attacks rocked Copenhagen on Saturday and Sunday, resulting in four deaths, including the two assailants, and the injury of five policemen. Endi