A heightening of the national security level by national intelligence agency PET has resulted in more surveillance at the country's borders and warnings being issued against travel to selected Middle Eastern, Asian and African nations.
The tightening of security is due to increased activity by Islamic militants as a result of the reprinting of the Mohammed cartoons in February, according to a report from the Centre for Terror Analysis. The report indicates Denmark is currently a serious target for extremists to attempt a terror action.
'It is PET's assessment that, to a certain extent, there is now an increased danger for Denmark and Danes abroad,' said Jakob Scharf, PET's director general, adding that the security move was the result of a 'significant' upgrading of the terror threat to Denmark.
A commentary broadcast last month, allegedly from Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, condemned Denmark for reprinting the Mohammed drawings.
The CTA report also included information suggesting that an Islamic militant terror network may possibly be based within the country. It pointed to the proliferation of young Muslims born or raised in Denmark, such as suspects in the Vollmose and Glostrup terror trials, who have embraced radical ideologies.
CTA mentioned several sites in Copenhagen as potential targets of terrorism, including Nørreport Station, the country's busiest changeover point in its public transport system. PET has also stated that the Metro, Kastrup Airport, shopping malls and embassies are additional prime targets for terrorists.
Countries assessed by the Foreign Ministry to be 'high-risk' travel destinations due to possible Islamic terror actions include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Ethiopia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Algeria, Libya, much of Indonesia and the Palestinian regions of Gaza and the West Bank.
In addition, PET and the ministry advise extra caution for Danes travelling to Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Morocco, Syria, Turkey, Israel and Malaysia.
Source: Copenhagen Post (English)
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