The BBC reports that nine men of indeterminate origin, for reasons that are apparently a complete mystery but probably have nothing to do with Islam (otherwise they would say it, wouldn’t they?), have been arrested in Denmark on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks: Nine held in Danish terror raids. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

Danish police have arrested nine suspected terrorists, the country’s security intelligence service says.

The suspects, believed to be all men under the age of 30, were picked up during overnight raids in Odense, Denmark’s third largest city. The country’s Justice Minister, Lene Espersen, said it was likely they were planning an attack in Denmark.

The men had been under surveillance for months and were detained on suspicion of planning terror acts. All nine are due in court later and are being held under anti-terror laws introduced after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US.

Ms Espersen said: “The clues police found indicate that they were very likely planning an attack somewhere in Denmark.

“It was the most serious matter I have had in my time as justice minister. Police went in and stopped the group as it was preparing an attack.”

UPDATE at 9/5/06 7:44:05 am:

Imagine my surprise.

All of those arrested are of Islamic background and under 30 years old.

I wonder why the BBC didn’t mention this?

UPDATE at 9/5/06 7:51:43 am:

More info: Danish police arrest 9 terror suspects.

Officials said the suspects were Danish citizens between the ages of 18 and 33. Lars Findsen, the head of the Danish Security Intelligence Service said eight of them had immigrant backgrounds, but did not specify from what countries.

He did not reveal the planned target of the attack and said it was hard to evaluate how far the suspects had progressed in their preparations.

“With the general terror situation, the Danish Security Intelligence Service didn’t want to run any unnecessary risk,” Findsen said.

Findsen also said the sweep was not related to a terror investigation in Germany in which four Lebanese suspects are being held in connection with a failed train bombing attempt.

German media claimed one of the suspects, Youssef Mohamad el Hajdib, who was arrested Aug. 19 in the northern German city of Kiel, was heading to Denmark. German and Danish media reported German police found a telephone number in his pocket for Abu Bashar, an imam living in Odense.

Abu Bashar denied knowing el Hajdib but said it was a matter of time before terrorists would strike Denmark.

“Osama Bin Laden said in a message three years ago that he will punish the countries that have (troops) in Iraq,” he told AP. “Denmark is on the list. I am afraid of the message of Osama Bin Laden that he will do something against Denmark.”

UPDATE at 9/5/06 8:06:00 am:

Abu Bashar is one of the Danish imams who toured the Islamic world whipping up a killing frenzy over the Danish Mohammed cartoons.