A police robot stands next to a suspicious car in front of the Swiss parliament during a major Bern police operation. February 14, 2023 (Manuel Lopez/Keystone via AP)
GENEVA – Police in the Swiss capital evacuated parliament and related offices on Tuesday after a man in a bulletproof vest was arrested near the entrance to parliament and found with explosives.
“Federal security officials noticed a man of suspicious appearance and behavior wearing a bulletproof vest and a weapon holster at the southern entrance to the Reichstag,” Bern police said in a statement.
“During a subsequent physical examination, a rapid test found explosives,” the statement said.
The statement did not provide details about the explosives.
The unidentified suspect had undergone a physical and mental examination, the statement said. Federal prosecutors and police have opened a criminal investigation. There was no immediate indication of a possible motive.
Police cordoned off Federal Square and nearby streets outside the ornate Capitol building for several hours, dispatched a security team that included firefighters and demining experts, and assisted by police dogs and drones. Inspected an abandoned car that had police involved. Suspect.
A police statement said security measures were lifted after the vehicle was found to be safe.
