Swiss Arrest 4 Suspected of Ties to ISIS, Al-Qaida

Swiss military | Photo: REUTERS
Swiss military | Photo: REUTERS
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Swiss Arrest 4 Suspected of Ties to ISIS, Al-Qaida

Swiss military | Photo: REUTERS
Swiss military | Photo: REUTERS

Authorities in Switzerland say they have arrested four people on suspicion of having ties to the ISIS group and al-Qaida.

The federal prosecutor's office said police searched three houses in the western canton (state) of Fribourg early Friday as part of two criminal investigations into alleged extremist activity.

The suspects are alleged to have violated Swiss law banning involvement with al-Qaida, ISIS, and related organizations.

Prosecutors said the four people detained are also suspected of having "supported or participated in a criminal organization."

They identified the four suspects only as a 28-year-old Kosovar woman, a 29-year-old Macedonian, a 26-year-old Kosovar man, and a 34-year-old Swiss-Kosovar dual national.

"As they had been in contact with each other, the house searches and arrests were all carried out at the same time," prosecutors said.



Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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Pope Francis Greets Crowds at Vatican in First Appearance since Leaving Hospital

 Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)
Pope Francis speaks as he appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, in Saint Peter square, at the Vatican, April 6, 2025. (Reuters)

Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.

Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome's Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.

The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church's Jubilee year.

Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.

"Happy Sunday to everyone," the pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. "Thank you so much."