Roundup: Switzerland addresses terrorist threats amid growing concerns

Amid severe terrorist threat levels in France, Belgium and Britain, Switzerland too is upping its security, local media reported Monday.

Swiss Federal Department of Defense head Ueli Maurer told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick: "A terrorist attack in Switzerland is not only an abstract prospect, it is a possibility."

The Attorney General of Switzerland Michael Lauber told the Neue Zurcher Zeitung Am Sonntag newspaper that close to 12 new investigations into potential jihadist-groups followers have been opened over the past two months.

"The Attorney General is currently conducting 33 criminal cases related to Islamic terrorism. We identified them mainly because of their support for criminal organizations," he told the German-speaking newspaper.

"I have decided that the office of the Swiss Attorney General should always open a criminal proceeding should any doubts arise," Lauber added, iterating that "when it comes to terrorism, I interpret the law with the purpose of ensuring security."

According to Swiss media Tribune de Geneve, though Switzerland is not directly targeted by IS, the confederation could incur collateral damage due to the presence of foreign embassies and consulates on its soil.

In light of these developments, Switzerland has implemented a number measures to enhance the confederation's security and ensure the safety of its people.

According to a Tribune de Geneve article, Swiss intelligence services have been reinforced, while surveillance capabilities monitoring individuals positing a security threat have been increased. Endit