Swiss trial opens for 3 accused eco-terrorists

[July 19, 2011]  BELLINZONA, Switzerland (AP) -- Three accused "eco-terrorists" are on trial in Switzerland's highest criminal court charged with trying to blow up an IBM nanotech research center in Zurich.

The trial in Federal Criminal Court opened Tuesday after a one-hour delay because of the extraordinary security measures taken by Swiss police. About 60 protesters gathered outside the courthouse.

An Italian couple and a Swiss man living in Italy were arrested last year with explosives in their possession and other documents describing them as members of a movement opposed to the use of biotechology and nanotechnology.

Police linked the three to an Italian group that has claimed responsibility for bombings in Greece, Switzerland and Italy.

The research center opened in May.

[Associated Press]

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