5 arrested in Bosnia for Scandinavia attack plans

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Bosnian police said Friday they have arrested five men suspected of building an explosive device intended for an attack in an unspecified Scandinavian country.

The arrests were the result of a coordinated operation also involving officials from Netherlands and Sweden.

Bosnian police and prosecutors said the explosives were intended for a terror attack, but that was dismissed by police in Sweden.

"This is not terror related," Swedish police spokesman Andreas Fahlen said. "This has to do with criminal activities in southern Sweden. Police in southern Sweden have been cooperating with foreign police in this matter."

Bosnian prosecution spokesman Boris Grubesic insisted the crime the men are suspected of is classified as terrorism in Bosnia.

Three of the arrested were nabbed at the Bosnian border while trying to leave the country with the explosive device in the trunk of their car, while the two others were arrested in Sarajevo.

The five suspects, including one Swedish and four Bosnian nationals, are suspected of having built the bomb in Bosnia after receiving "a request" from Scandinavia.

Following the arrests, police have raided several locations in Sarajevo in search of evidence. Searched locations included a bar owned by a former special police officer turned criminal called Amar Sljivo. Sljivo has previously served an 18-month prison sentence for attempted murder.