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Interpol warns of attack at Beijing Olympics

by Rob Walker | April 25, 2008 at 02:49 pm | 146 views | add comment

While there has always been a high security presence at the Olympics (especially after the Israeli team was attacked in the 70's and the Australian attempt in the 90's), but things are getting even tighter in Beijing with the upcoming summer Olympics.

Protesters, demonstrators and malcontents, as well as the thousands expected fans, media members and sporting community that will be attending makes the Beijing olympics especially difficult to secure, but Interpol said Friday there is a 'real possibility' that the Olympics would be targeted by Terrorists.

A statement issued by the International Police agency said: "Recent Tibet-related protests have introduced significant additionalcomplications to the normal security considerations for a majorinternational event like these Olympics."

The head of Interpol said Friday that there is a "real possibility" that the Beijing Olympics will be targeted by terrorists or that anti-China groups could attack athletes.
China, whose Communist rulers value stability above all else, have come down hard on anyone they fear could upset the Games, from people protesting against the demolition of their houses for venues to the country's sometimes restless ethnic minorities.

Violence and terrorism at the Beijing games is a "real possibility", Interpol has warned, after protests surrounding the Olympic torch relay.

"An attempted act of terrorism is a real possibility and a real concern," Ronald Noble, the secretary general of the international police network, told a security conference in Beijing today.

"Recent Tibet-related protests have introduced significant additional complications to the normal security considerations for a major international event like these Olympics."

Widespread protests along the Olympic torch relay route and reports of foiled terrorist plots in China suggest a real possibility for violence during the Beijing games, the head of Interpol said Friday.

Ronald Noble said potential attacks could involve efforts to block transportation routes, interfere with competitions, assault athletes or destroy property during the Olympics.

Chinese officials have said that terrorism is the biggest threat to the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Games and has called for closer international cooperation to prevent possible incidents.