TA-THREATS: France Avoids Possible Chem/Bio attack

Antiterroism forces in France can breath a sigh of relief now that Al-qaida cell is broken up. An interior ministry official said evidence from Islamist militants arrested in the Lyon area last week made it "very plain" that an attack with the deadly botulism or ricin toxins was being actively prepared.

www.guardian.co.uk

It said the men involved were mainly "veterans of Afghanistan with chemical and biological expertise who have recently returned from fighting Russian forces in Chechnya".


"Hopefully information can be gleaned from these suspects that will allow further disruption of the terrorists plans".


[edit on 9-12-2004 by Banshee]

Hrmm, Botulism/Botulinum would be the worst of the lot to use in a crowded enviroment, with the exceptions of smallpox and anthrax. As wound botulism is the rarest form of botulism. The illness results when botulinum by itself or with other microorganisms infects a wound and produces toxins which reach other parts of the body via the blood stream. Foods are not involved in this type of botulism.