Can Swiss authorities deal with terrorist attacks?
The Swiss government, cantons and cities will carry out a 52-hour exercise starting on November 11 on coping with a terrorist threat involving a nuclear malfunction and blackmail. Around 2,000 people will be involved.
“Switzerland is a safe country, but it too must be prepared,” said Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter on Thursday, presenting the scenarioExternal link for the 2019 integrated security exercise (see box).
“This is not alarmism, rather crisis prevention,” she said.
The security structures and processes will be put to the test in the event of a prolonged terrorist threat with attacks on critical infrastructure, blackmail demands and imminent attacks.
The defence ministry announced that around 70 organisations across Switzerland would contribute to the exercise. The aim is to examine how the security organisations involved can cope with a crisis and how they can work together in a tense situation.
The exercise is based on Switzerland’s counter-terrorism strategy, which the government developed four years ago in cooperation with the cantons.
The first exercise took place in 2014. The scenario then was an emergency situation with a shortage of electricity and a flu pandemic.
The scenario
The perpetrators of a terrorist attack on Geneva have been sent to prison. Ahead of the second anniversary of the attack, there’s a malfunction in the Beznau nuclear power station. The “Global Liberation Front” (GLF) says in a video that it is responsible and that such events will get worse unless the prisoners are released immediately.
The fictitious GLF aims to break the industrialised, capitalist West through terror and violence and take power to create a state “without possessions or greed”. The GLF manipulates public opinion via internet trolls and cyberattacks. News portals and social media are flooded with false reports.
– propaganda, political blackmail and cyberattacks – critical infrastructure is threatened – attacks against crowds with multiples deaths and injuries
More
More
Swiss government uncoordinated in terror simulation exercise
This content was published on
A simulation of terrorist acts that included a hostage situation at the UN, an attack on a railway station and a potential nuclear plant leak.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Emergency water alarm sirens fail in annual test run
This content was published on
On the first Wednesday of every February, Switzerland reverberates to the sound of close to 8,000 sirens, as the country carries out its annual test of the devices. Introduced during wartime, they are now used to alert the population to impending catastrophes or water dangers such as flooding. At 13:30 sirens across the country sounded the…
This content was published on
Search-and-rescue specialists from Switzerland, Germany, France and Britain have been taking part in an earthquake simulation exercise in Geneva.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.