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Terrorist attack foiled in Bosnia: Prosecutor

Saturday, 26 December 2015 4:42 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 26 December 2015 4:42 PM ]

Bosnian policemen are seen securing a crime scene during an investigation in Sarajevo's Northern suburb of Rajlovac late on November 18, 2015. (AFP photo)

A Bosnian anti-terrorism prosecutor says security forces have foiled a terrorist attack which could have claimed the lives of some 100 people in the capital, Sarajevo.

On Saturday, Bosnian state television quoted prosecutor Dubravko Campara as saying that a group of 11 people suspected of planning "a terrorist act during end-of-year celebrations" had been detained.

"They were threatening to carry out an explosives attack in which 100 people would be killed," the Bosnian RTRS television quoted Campara as saying.

The suspects were arrested across Sarajevo on Tuesday.

On Friday, a court in the capital ordered eight of the 11 to be held for 30 days while an investigation is carried out into the attempted attack.

Campara added that although no explosives have been found yet, “physical evidence” of the group’s links to Daesh terrorists was seized.

Following the arrests, prosecutors released photos showing images of the Daesh flag on the wall of a rented house, where they say the suspects “habitually” gathered.

The suspects' lawyers, however, have dismissed the allegations as a "simple farce" and said their clients were merely "practicing their religion."

Bosnian authorities say some 200 nationals joined Daesh terrorists in Syria and Iraq back in 2012 and 2013. At least 26 of them have reportedly died, while about 50 others are believed to have returned to the country.

In 2014, Bosnia adopted a law which punishes militants and their recruiters with up to 20 years in prison.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk