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The Security Intelligence Service (PET) of Denmark, acting with the assistance from Swiss intelligence authorities, has shut down an Islamic extremist homepage on which terror threats against Denmark were previously issued.
"In cooperation with the Defense Intelligence Service, we have traced the threats and concluded that they were being forwarded via Switzerland to the Middle East. We notified Swiss authorities, who opted to shut down the homepage last week," said PET chief criminal inspector Jorgen Bonnichsen on Monday.
The homepage, www.islamic-minbar.com, is one of several Islamic sites on the web that has issued terrorist threats and provided user access to video clips of executions and other terrorist acts. On Aug. 8, the homepage's debate forum threatened Denmark with "holy warriors and car bombings." On Sept. 10, the page quoted an Iraqi extremist group's warning that it was now "Denmark's turn" to face punishment for its role in Iraq.
Denmark now has more than 500 soldiers stationed in Iraq as part of the America-led alliance forces.
In a related development, an official Danish website reported on Monday that the United States authorities have launched a formal investigation into allegations brought forth by a Danish interpreter, who claims to have witnessed "torture and killings" during American-led interrogations in Afghanistan.
In June of this year, Defense Minister Soren Gade asked the Defense Corps of Auditors to investigate the interpreter's claim, but the United States refused to cooperate with Denmark in the case, until Denmark issued a second request in August.
"The US has responded that they're working on the case, and that it's a high priority issue for them, but there's no timeline," said Danish Deputy Auditor-General Niels Christiansen.
Danish military auditors are prohibited by law from interrogating US soldiers, but have questioned a number of potential witnesses from the Danish Special Forces in Afghanistan. The interpreter who leveled the original accusation has been questioned twice.
(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2004)
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