Wearing national symbols abroad makes Danes a target, says national intelligence agency PET

Intelligence agency PET, together with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), is warning companies and individuals to avoid using Danish symbols, flags and corporate logos when abroad in order to minimise the risk of kidnapping.

In a guide published today, PET suggested that Danes consider limiting the display of national symbols in the countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of the Middle East and North and East Africa, and during politically charged events in other countries.

‘Because al-Qaeda has a closer focus on Denmark, it is PET's assessment that there is a considerable risk that Islamic militants will try to carry out targeted kidnapping of Danes in some places abroad,’ said PET chief Jakob Scharf.

Last week, on the anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, Scharf said the number of specific threats against the country had become more serious.

The threats stem primarily from al-Qaeda, due to simmering anger over the publication of the Mohammed cartoons and Denmark’s military engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The travel instructions were compiled in response to those threats and are based on cases of kidnapping of foreigners in the countries in question.