Terrorism inSwitzerland has occurred periodically since the 1970s. Switzerland has experienced both domestic and international terrorism over the past several decades, though domestic terrorism was primarily low‐level violence.[1]
A number of left-wing terrorist cells were active in Switzerland in the 1970s. A group known as "Bändlistrasse" was active in Zurich in 1972. A group associated with Italian-German terroristPetra Krause, was active around Zurich from 1971 to 1975. Members of the German group "Bewegung 2. Juni" (2 June Movement) were active in that period as well.[2]
Armenian militants associated withJustice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide were also active in Switzerland, targeting Turkish diplomats. On May 28, 1976, in Zurich, two bombs caused extensive damage to the office of Garanti Bank and of Labor Attaché of Turkish embassy.[citation needed] On February 6, 1980, inBern, Turkish Ambassador to SwitzerlandDoğan Türkmen was attacked. Türkmen escaped with minor wounds.[3] Max Hraïr Kilndjian was sentenced as an accessory to two years imprisonment by the tribunal ofAix-en-Provence.[4]
According to the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's office and media, in the 1990s and early 2000sAl Qaeda members had accounts atSwiss banks, includingUBS.[5][6]
In 2006, Swiss authorities showed greater awareness of the presence of terrorist groups operating in their country. The Swiss Federal Police described Switzerland as a “jihadi field of operations” in its 2005 terrorism report.[7]
Since 2013, the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) has warned of a heightened threat emanating fromIslamic terrorism in Switzerland.[8]
Notable incidents include the1955 seizure of the Romanian embassy in Bern,El Al Flight 432 attack, and the bombing ofSwissair Flight 330.
On 12 September 2020, a randomly-chosen man wasfatally stabbed in Morges. The attacker was known to the Swiss intelligence service as anIslamist and undersurveillance for possible links to terrorism.[9]
On 3 March 2024, a 15-year-old stabbed and injured an Orthodox Jewish man in Zurich. He allegedly swore allegiance toIslamic State and called for a battle against the Jews.[10]
In 1977,Petra Krause, an Italian-German woman, was extradited from Switzerland to Italy on allegations of supplying arms to outlawed terrorist organizations.[11][12]
In 2015, Swiss police arrested twoSyrians and found traces of bomb-making chemicals in a car.[13] The arrested individuals were members of anIslamic State cell planning an attack using explosives and toxic gas.[14]
Since the2015 Paris attacks, Swiss and French officials say they have been working closely together. Geneva also has raised their alert level.[15]