World | Other World Stories
China foils 'terrorist' plot to kidnap Olympic athletes
Chinese authorities have detained 45 'terrorist' suspects and foiled plots to kidnap athletes to disrupt the Olympics.
- Agencies
- Published: 15:00 April 10, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Paramilitary police for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games take part in a training session in Beijing on Tuesday.
Beijing: Chinese authorities have detained 45 “terrorist'' suspects and foiled plots to kidnap athletes and carry out suicide attacks to disrupt the Olympics, police said on Thursday.
Some of the terror suspects belonged to the Al Qaida-linked East Turkestan Islamic Movement, said Ministry of Public Security spokesman Wu Heping.
Their aim was "to create an international incident with the goal of disrupting the Olympic Games", Wu said.
The first group of suspects bought explosive materials and carried out 13 test explosions, Wu said. Police detained 10 suspects who confessed to plotting suicide attacks.
In another incident, authorities detained 35 people and seized 9.51 kilograms of explosives, eight detonators and some "Holy War" propaganda material, Wu said.
The group also planned to kidnap foreign journalists, tourists and athletes and carry out suicide bomb attacks in China, Wu said.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
