Smiling Despite Working Oktoberfest Security During a Terror Scare, Probably Because of the Orange Glasses
February 4th, 2010 | published in New and Topical.
Munich authorities on Monday tightened security checks at Oktoberfest and detained two suspected Islamists just days after terrorist threats led them to declare airspace above the festival a no-fly zone this weekend.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said on Monday that extra security and traffic checks had been erected around the entire festival grounds, known as the Wiesn, daily Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.
A ministry spokesperson told the paper the situation remained “highly sensitive,” and that the original team of 300 police officers manning the festival had been significantly increased.
According to the paper, increased security began on Sunday with bag checks, and increased video surveillance.
Excerpted from ‘Islamist suspects detained amid tightened Oktoberfest security.’ Published in The Local on September 28, 2009.