Terror threat

Swiss intelligence say it's inevitable the country will see its first jihadist terror attack as extremism spreads across Europe

Swiss intelligence has said the nation's first jihadist terror attack is a certainty as extremism spreads across Europe.

The country's defence minister warned it was not a matter of whether there would be an atrocity in Switzerland but, rather, when it will occur.

At the same time, the Swiss spy agency said the greatest threat on home soil came from so-called lone-wolf fanatics or small groups.

Swiss Defence Minister Guy Parmelin was speaking today at a conference in Bern where the spy agency released its 2017 situation report.

It comes as Europe tries to come to terms with recent attacks in London and Paris linked to Islamist extremism.

'In Switzerland, the terrorist threat remains at a heightened level,' the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) said in its annual assessment of risks faced by Switzerland.

'The most likely terrorist threat in Europe and thus also in Switzerland will continue to come from jihad-motivated terrorism,' it said. 'Further attacks must be expected.' 

The FIS said the greatest danger was that individuals or small groups inspired by ISIS would carry out attacks in Switzerland or use it as a base to plot other attacks.