Intelligence agency sees increased terror threat against Denmark

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Danish intelligence service warned Thursday of an "aggravated" terror threat against Denmark since the reprinting in February of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service, or PET, said it has seen signs of an elevated threat from militant extremists, especially in North Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Thursday's assessment comes after the agency last month said the reprinting of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers had brought "negative attention" to Denmark in Muslim countries. In an audio recording posted on a militant Web site on March 19, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden warned of a "severe" reaction against Europe over the republishing of the cartoon. "Presently, there are sign of an aggravated threat from militant extremists abroad against Denmark and against Danes and Danish interests abroad," the agency said in a statement.