Swiss federal police say no info linking Geneva suspects to Paris attacks

It is thought Swiss security forces have deployed an increased number of policemen deployed across Geneva, which is close to the border with France.

“As part of investigations conducted both internationally and nationally following the Paris attacks, Geneva police and its partners are actively searching for people flagged by the Confederation”, the security department statement said, referring to the Swiss national government. The Geneva spokeswoman said she had no further comment. It didn’t specify how many people were being sought or provide their identities.

United Nations security guards in Geneva, the European headquarters of the world body, were stationed with MP5 sub-machine guns at entry points for cars, a highly unusual measure at the sprawling complex.

According to a Parisian police source, there is no direct connection with the 13 November attacks in Paris where 130 people died. Police in Belgium and elsewhere have been searching for Salah Abdeslam, who rented a auto which was used to carry gunmen to the Bataclan theatre in Paris, since the attacks.

Last month, terrorists armed with assault rifles and explosives targeted several locations across Paris, including busy restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade de France, where a soccer game between France and Germany was being played.

Swiss media reports said leaders at the mosque had been preaching extremist ideology, but there was no indication from police that the two imams were implicated in any wrongdoing.