World Briefs: Security sweep at Amsterdam airport

Security sweep at Amsterdam airport

SCHIPHOL • Dozens of heavily armed military police swooped on Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, evacuating hundreds of people from public areas late on Tuesday after receiving a tip-off about a "suspicious situation".

They arrested one man after a four-hour security clampdown which lasted into the early hours yesterday. But it was unclear exactly what was behind the security sweep, as the Dutch bomb squad found nothing suspicious in the luggage of the arrested man, who remained in police custody.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


EU concerned over Austria border plans

VIENNA • The European Union said it is "very concerned" that Austria may be preparing to reintroduce controls on its border with Italy over fears of a new migrant influx.

Austrian police said construction started Tuesday for a planned control area off a motorway at the Brenner Pass in the Alps. Austria says it is planning more measures at several border crossings from June 1.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Saudi religious police lose arrest powers

RIYADH • Saudi Arabia has stripped its frequently criticised religious police, the Haia force, also known as the Mutawaa, of their powers to arrest, urging them to act "kindly and gently" in enforcing Islamic rules.

Under changes approved by the Saudi Cabinet, religious officers will no longer be allowed to detain people and must report violators to police or drug squad officers, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 14, 2016, with the headline World Briefs: Security sweep at Amsterdam airport. Subscribe