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09/29/2009

 

The Oktoberfest has been transformed from a beer festival into a beer fortress this week as police have established a security cordon around the site in central Munich in response to fears of an attack by militant Islamists.

Since Monday, police have banned traffic from streets around the festival area and have been checking all delivery vehicles. Taxi stands have been closed and access by buses has also been restricted.

Police wearing bullet-proof vests are guarding all entrances to the festival and mingling with the crowds of Lederhosen-clad revellers at the world's biggest beer festival, which attracts around six million visitors a year. The two-week festival ends on Sunday.

Heavy police trucks are blocking off nearby streets and there are rigorous checks at the beer tent doors, with visitors having their bags and even their Dirndl dresses checked.

The police have advised visitors not to come with large bags or backpacks. Even the airspace over the festival site has been closed.

Munich police said on Monday they had taken two suspected Islamists into custody after a series of al-Qaida videos threatened Germany with attacks after Sunday's federal election. The suspects will be held until the end of the Oktoberfest next Sunday.

Security has been tight across Germany after the videos threatened the country with a "rude awakening" if voters backed a government that supports keeping troops in Afghanistan, where 4,200 Germans are stationed with NATO-led forces. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who this month ruled out an early withdrawaland reaffirmed her commitment to the mission, was re-elected on Sunday

Police said there were no concrete indications that an attack is planned on the Oktoberfest. But several of the videos referred to the festival.

The security fears and increased checks don't appear to be spoiling the party, though. The beer tents have been as busy as usual. Toni Roiderer, the spokesman for the beer tent managers, said there had been no cancellations so far. "But if someone cancels their table reservations, we'll fill the tents with people who are less afraid," he told the ddp news agency.