By DPA,
Paris : The international police organisation Interpol warned Thursday that if a US pastor goes ahead with his plan to burn the Quran this weekend, it could prompt terrorist responses.
“If the proposed Quran burning by a pastor in the US goes ahead as planned, there is a strong likelihood that violent attacks on innocent people would follow,” the Paris-based organisation warned its 188 member nations on its website.
Interpol said its agencies would work to warn local police departments of the increased possibility of terrorist acts after any Quran burning, though it did not mention any specific threats. The agency announced it would be on alert over the weekend if the Quran-burning event proceeds as planned.
Although there are currently no specific details as to what forms of terror attacks would follow, what is clear is if the Quran burning goes ahead as planned, there will be tragic consequences, ones which may well claim the lives of many innocent people,” read a comment by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble on the website.
The agency issued the warning after Pakistani authorities warned Interpol that the proposed burning could lead to an increased terror threat.
Pastor Terry Jones and his small congregation in Gainesville, Florida, plan Saturday to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the US by destroying the Islamic holy book.
The city has refused to give him a public burning permit, and is preparing security measures for the event.