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German officials warn of terrorist attacks at 2016 European Championship

Xinhua, May 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) warned of possible terrorist attacks during the 2016 European Championship in France, which will kick off in about three weeks, the German newspaper Bild reported Thursday.

France was constantly in the particular focus of perpetrators "not least because of the French colonial history in North Africa, the military involvement in Mali and military support in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria," said the newspaper, citing a BKA report.

The opening match between France and Romania on June 10 as well as the final at the Stade de France are particularly at risk, noted the BKA, adding that possible targets were "symbolic" and "weak" targets with a large media attention and correspondingly high number of victims.

Meanwhile, the national soccer teams could be also at risk.

"A successful attack on teams" of "Crusader states", which meant Christian-influenced Western states, would have particular signal effect, said the report.

French parliament on Thursday approved the extension of the country's state of emergency for more than two months to July 26 in order to ensure security during big sports events this summer.

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency on Nov. 14, 2015, a day after the deadly Paris attacks. Endit