L2.8M Railway Ransom (France - Terrorists)

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-4-2004 | Philip Delves

[blam]

£2.8m railway ransom

By Philip Delves Broughton in Paris
(Filed: 04/03/2004)

A terrorist group is blackmailing the French government, threatening to explode 10 bombs it says are already planted beneath railway lines throughout France unless it receives a £2.8 million ransom.

French gendarmes patrol railway lines after bomb threats

The group, which calls itself AZF after a chemical factory that exploded in Toulouse in September 2001 killing 31 people, has been in contact with the interior ministry since December when it sent its first letter.

As a demonstration of intent, on Feb 21 the group directed the police to a bomb it says it hid beneath a railway line near Limoges. The police found a sophisticated timer and enough explosive to derail a train.

For several weeks, investigators and AZF have been swapping messages through letters, telephone calls, even the personals column of a newspaper.

On Monday night, the government sent a helicopter carrying the ransom to an airfield near Montargis, south of Paris. The terrorists said they would mark the spot where they wanted the money to be left with a white tarpaulin. The police said they could not find the marker in the dark.

The inquiry into AZF has been turned over to France's leading anti-terrorist judge, Jean-Louis Brugiere.

[ChadGore]

I just heard that the elite france s.w.a.t. team is sending in . . . . . the surrender monkeys.

[keithtoo]

It's time for the famous French Rapid Capitulation Force to spring into action.

[keithtoo]

"Remember guys, we look for these bombs just 35 hours a week. Even if we see the bomb, if we dont have time to dig it out, we'll just wait 'til Monday"

[texasflower]

They are trying to pay the ransom? That doesn't seem too smart to me.

Am I missing something?

[DonaldDuke]

It's time for the famous French Rapid Capitulation Force to spring into action.

Sounds like they did already. But they couldn't find the capitulation spot.

[Shmokey]

Holy fromage Batman!

[VRWC For Truth]

"There's a beum in my reum."

[Shermy]

It's time for the famous French Rapid Capitulation Force to spring into action.

They already did, and failed. They couldn't find the "marker" in the dark.

[ValerieUSA]

Most people have forgotten that France was also attacked by Islamists in September, 2001. Shortly after the WTC and Pentagon attacks, a factory in France was bombed, and lives were lost.
Apparently France has responded to this atrocity with increased tolerance of persecution of Jews.

[ValerieUSA]

Oh No! Jean-Louis is after us! Hide the cheese!

[Spruce]

The french really need to grease these punks. If they don't they are toast.

[ApplegateRanch]

Most people have forgotten that France was also attacked by Islamists in September, 2001. Shortly after the WTC and Pentagon attacks, a factory in France was bombed, and lives were lost. Apparently France has responded to this atrocity with increased tolerance of persecution of Jews.

And reinforced by the attack on their tanker in the Gulf, leading to hardened support for Saddam.