Bosnia Arrests 11 Suspected Of Planning Terrorist Attacks

A Bosnian anti-terrorism prosecutor says the arrests of 11 suspected Islamist extremists last week has prevented an attack that could have killed around 100 people in Sarajevo.

Bosnian state television on December 26 quoted prosecutor Dubravko Campara as telling an investigating magistrate that the group was planning "a terrorist act during end-of-year celebrations."

The state television quotes Campara as saying "they were threatening to carry out an explosives attack in which 100 people would be killed."

The suspects were arrested on December 22 in raids carried out in several parts of the Bosnian capital.

After the arrests, prosecutors gave reporters a photograph taken at the site showing a printout of the Islamic State group flag on the wall of a rented house in a Sarajevo suburb where the suspects purportedly gathered for worship.

Last year Bosnia adopted a new law providing for jail sentences of up to 20 years for Islamist extremists and their recruiters.

Based on reporting by AFP