Austrian police boost security for crystal heiress

VIENNA, Oct 27 (Reuters) Austrian police stepped up protection of crystal heiress Fiona Swarovski and her husband, Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, after a jailed criminal disclosed a plan to kidnap her, police said today.

''We received a tip from a prisoner,'' said Gerald Hesztera, spokesman for the Austrian Federal Criminal Agency.

He said the unidentified prisoner mentioned a specific person who had allegedly planned the abduction and ''gave vague indications about details of the plan''.

Swarovski is part of the family that owns the crystal-making firm of the same name, one of Austria's biggest companies with 2.1 billion euros ( VIENNA, Oct 27 (Reuters) Austrian police stepped up protection of crystal heiress Fiona Swarovski and her husband, Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, after a jailed criminal disclosed a plan to kidnap her, police said today.

''We received a tip from a prisoner,'' said Gerald Hesztera, spokesman for the Austrian Federal Criminal Agency.

He said the unidentified prisoner mentioned a specific person who had allegedly planned the abduction and ''gave vague indications about details of the plan''.

Swarovski is part of the family that owns the crystal-making firm of the same name, one of Austria's biggest companies with 2.1 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in revenues last year.

Austrian media said the plot was devised by a Romanian gang who planned to hire the prisoner -- also Romanian -- after his release. The kidnapping was meant to take place at the couple's home in the ski resort of Kitzbuehel, news reports said.

Hesztera declined to give details, saying: ''We are investigating in all directions.'' Swarovski, 41, married Grasser last year. The pair have become one of Austria's highest-profile society couples.

REUTERS PDM VC1840 .7 billion) in revenues last year.

Austrian media said the plot was devised by a Romanian gang who planned to hire the prisoner -- also Romanian -- after his release. The kidnapping was meant to take place at the couple's home in the ski resort of Kitzbuehel, news reports said.

Hesztera declined to give details, saying: ''We are investigating in all directions.'' Swarovski, 41, married Grasser last year. The pair have become one of Austria's highest-profile society couples.

REUTERS PDM VC1840