Terrorism Situation and Trend Report - European Union - europa ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report
EUROPEAN UNION TERRORISM SITUATION AND TREND REPORT 2019
© European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation 2019.
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. For any use or
reproduction of individual photos, permission must be sought directly from the copyright
holders.
This publication and more information on Europol are available on the Internet.
ISBN 978-92-95209-76-3
www.europol.europa.eu DOI 10.2813/788404
QL-AJ-19-001-EN-N
04 06 08
Contents
Foreword Trends Executive summary
10 28
General overview Jihadist terrorism
Terrorist attacks and arrests Terrorist attacks and suspects
Terrorist and violent extremist activities arrested in the EU
Convictions and penalties Terrorist propaganda
Travel for terrorist purposes
Terrorist situation outside the EU
53
Ethno-nationalist and
56
Left-wing and
separatist terrorism anarchist terrorism
60
Right-wing terrorism
63
Single-issue terrorism
annexes
A1 Amendments in National Legislation on Terrorism in 2018 65
Overview of the failed, foiled and completed attacks in 2018 per EU
A2 Member State and per affiliation
68
A3 Arrests in 2018 per EU Member State and per affiliation 69
A4 Convictions and penalties 71
A5 Europol counter terrorism activities 74
A6 Methodology 78
A7 Acronyms 80
TESAT 2019 4
Foreword
In 2018, terrorism continued to constitute a major The level of the threat from terrorism,
threat to security in EU Member States. Horrific thus, has not diminished, despite
attacks perpetrated by jihadists like those in the military defeat of IS earlier this
Trèbes, Paris, Liège and Strasbourg killed a total of year. If anything, the situation has
thirteen people and injured many more. In addition, become more complex. Within the
one terrorist attack by a right-wing extremist in jihadist milieu, multiple actors of
Italy and numerous arrests of suspected right-wing diverging motivation and allegiance
terrorists for attack-planning across the European are plotting alone or conspiring with
Union (EU) indicate that extremists of diverging others; and right-wing extremists, in
orientation increasingly consider violence as a a bid to justify violence, prey on the
justified means of confrontation. Terrorists not perception of a threat from Islam,
only aim to kill and maim but also to divide our which some people readily fuel by
societies and spread hatred. We need to remain interpreting terrorist propaganda and
vigilant if we are to protect our citizens and values criminal behaviour as representative
in the face of attempts to use violence for political of a world religion.
aims.
In the light of the above, I am
I am particularly saddened that three police confident that the efforts of law
officers lost their lives in terrorist acts in the EU in enforcement, security services,
2018 while trying to keep their communities safe. public authorities, private companies
Our thoughts are with their families and loved and civil society organisations to
ones. We pay special tribute to the late Colonel counter terrorism have substantially
Arnaud Beltrame, who exchanged himself for a contributed to the decrease in
hostage taken by an attacker in Trèbes knowing violence in Europe. Faced with the
that he was putting his life in danger. surge in terrorist violence that Europe
has witnessed since 2014, public
Compared to the year before, the number of
authorities and private organisations
attacks and the number of victims in the EU
that used to work largely separately
dropped significantly with regard to terrorism
have established new and creative
of all ideological tendencies. Whereas in 2017
ways of cooperation. There is a
jihadists perpetrated ten terrorist attacks in the
general realisation that everyone
EU, we suffered seven jihadist terrorist attacks
needs to play a role and must assume
last year. At the same time, however, the number
her part of the shared responsibility
of disrupted jihadist terrorist plots increased
to conserve the precious good of
substantially. The latter included attempts to
living in societies with a high level of
produce and deploy chemical and biological
security. Equality and freedom can
substances, a fact which illustrates the level of
only thrive where citizens can trust
intent and commitment of individuals, cells and
that they can exercise their rights
networks to use terrorist tactics to harm the
and participate in public life without
societies they live in.
intimidation or fear of violence.
Unfortunately, in a growing number
of locations outside Europe, violence
has become prevalent. In countries
like Syria, Libya, Mali, Afghanistan,
among others, terrorist groups have
foreword 5
gained influence to an extent that they rival therefore, must be based on facts
the state, whose authority in many cases has before reaching conclusions. I am
already been undermined by particularistic proud to say that the EU Terrorism
policies, weak structures and corruption. Citizens Situation and Trend Report (TE-
of these countries are exposed to existential SAT) has provided verified facts
threats to their lives and property based on on terrorism in Europe since 2006.
their belonging to particular communities or The report has been accepted as
adhering to particular practices or beliefs. The a benchmark in discussions about
perpetuation of these crises has proven to have EU counterterrorism policies and
an impact on Europe, be it through the creation academic studies. It is my privilege to
of new grievances or prejudice among different hereby hand over the 2019 edition of
communities in Europe, discrediting international the TE-SAT to the public.
efforts at crisis resolution through diplomacy or
In doing so, I would like to thank
providing space for destructive ideologies and
the EU Member States and third
terrorist networks to prosper.
parties for their contributions to the
As the line between online and offline TE-SAT 2018. In addition, the work
communities becomes increasingly blurred, of the members of the Advisory
terrorist propaganda preying on human Board, consisting of the ‘troika’
suffering abroad reaches audiences in Europe to (Presidencies of the Council of the
unprecedented extents, inciting some to act and EU, namely Austria, Romania, and
driving others to embrace extremist views on the Finland); France; Spain; Eurojust; the
opposite end. EU Intelligence and Situation Centre
(INTCEN) and the Office of the EU
In Europe, the feeling of insecurity that terrorists
Counter-Terrorism Coordinator has
try to create must be of the greatest concern to
been indispensable for the 2019
us because it has the potential to undermine the
edition of the TE-SAT. We are grateful
cohesion of our societies. Increasing polarisation
for their continued engagement in
and the rise of extremist views is a concern
ensuring the quality of the document.
for EU Member States. The public debate
about sensitive phenomena like terrorism, Finally, the somewhat technical
discussions on terrorism and
counterterrorism should not make
us forget that terrorism affects real
people. I, therefore, want to close
this foreword with a thought for the
victims of terrorist violence.
Catherine De Bolle
Executive Director of Europoltrends 6
Trends
01.
Thirteen people were killed in terrorist attacks in
the EU in 2018 – a decrease compared to 2017. All
the attacks were jihadist in nature and committed
by individuals acting alone.
In addition to the seven completed attacks, EU
02.
Member States reported 16 foiled jihadist terrorist
plots, illustrating the effectiveness of counter terrorism
efforts. The significant number of thwarted attacks
and the so-called Islamic State’s (IS) continued intent
to perpetrate attacks outside conflict zones indicate
that the threat level across the EU remains high.
03.
Three terrorist plots involving CBRN materials
were disrupted in the EU in 2018. A general
increase of CBRN terrorist propaganda, tutorials
and threats was observed.
04.
Ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorist attacks
in the EU continued to greatly outnumber other
types of terrorist attacks.
The number of arrests linked to right-wing
05.
terrorism remained relatively low but increased
for the third year in a row. Right-wing extremists
prey on fears of perceived attempts to Islamicise
society and loss of national identity. The violent
right-wing extremist scene is very heterogeneous
across EU Member States.trends 7
06.
With regard to terrorism trials concluded in 2018,
jihadist terrorism convictions remained the highest
in number; but there was a noted increase in left-
wing and right-wing terrorism convictions.
07.
The number of European foreign terrorist fighters
travelling, or attempting to travel to conflict zones
was very low. The focus of jihadist networks in EU
Member States has shifted towards carrying out
activities in the EU.
The number of individuals returning to the EU
also remained very low. Hundreds of European
08.
citizens – including women and minors, mainly
of a very young age – remain in detention in the
Iraqi and Syrian conflict zone. While minors are
essentially victims, there are concerns among EU
Member States that they have been exposed to
indoctrination and training in former IS territories
and may pose a potential future threat.
09.
There is continued concern that individuals with
a criminal background, including those currently
imprisoned, are vulnerable to indoctrination and
might engage in terrorism.
10.
IS succeeded in maintaining an online presence
largely thanks to unofficial supporter networks
and pro-IS media outlets. Pro-IS and pro-al-
Qaeda channels promoted the use of alternative
platforms and open source technologies.
11.
Outside Europe, al-Qaeda continued to exert
power and influence in conflict areas, partly at
the expense of IS affiliates. Al-Qaeda affiliates
exploited political grievances at local and
international level, including in messages directed
at European audiences.executive summary 8
Executive summary
In 2018, all fatalities from Completed jihadist attacks The situation in Europe with
terrorism were the result of were carried out using firearms regard to jihadist terrorism
jihadist attacks: 13 people lost and unsophisticated, readily continued to be influenced
their lives. In addition, 46 people available weapons (e.g. knives). by external developments.
were injured in jihadist attacks. The diminished sophistication Ungoverned spaces in conflict
This is a considerable decrease in the preparation and execution areas, including Afghanistan,
compared to 2017, when ten of jihadist terrorist attacks Libya, the Sahel region, Syria and
attacks killed 62 people. In 2018, contributed to a lower number Yemen provide opportunities
EU Member States reported of casualties in completed for jihadist groups to establish
16 thwarted jihadist terrorist attacks. Several disrupted control over territories that can
plots, a fact that indicates both terrorist plots included the later turn into safe havens. The
continued high terrorist activity attempted production and use year 2018 saw a decrease in
and illustrates the effectiveness of explosives and chemical/ the activities of the so-called
of counter terrorism efforts. biological materials. There was Islamic State (IS) affiliates in a
also an increase in the use of number of regions outside the
pyrotechnic mixtures to produce EU. EU Member States assessed
improvised explosive devices that IS’ diminishing territorial
(IED) in jihadist plots. Three control is likely to be replaced
All jihadist terrorist attacks were
terrorist plots involving CBRN by increased al-Qaeda efforts
committed by individuals acting
materials were disrupted in 2018 to reclaim power and influence
alone and targeted civilians and
in the EU. A general increase in the area. Al-Qaeda’s strategy
symbols of authority. Often the
of CBRN terrorist propaganda, relied on building alliances with
motivation of the perpetrator
tutorials and threats was local tribes while exploiting
and the links to other radicalised
observed. political grievances at local and
individuals or terrorist groups
international level, including in
remained unclear. Mental
Europe.
health issues contributed to the
complexity of the phenomenon.executive summary 9
The military defeat of IS in Iraq The number of European foreign As in previous years, ethno-
and Syria had a significant terrorist fighters travelling, or nationalist and separatist
impact on the group’s digital attempting to travel to the Iraqi terrorist attacks in the EU
capabilities. In parallel, the and Syrian conflict zone in 2018 greatly outnumbered other types
coherence of IS narratives was very low. Cases of traveling of terrorist attacks in 2018.
was compromised by the to alternative areas of conflict The number of left-wing and
group’s inability to internally were reported, although current right-wing attacks and arrests
unify its ideological positions. numbers also appear to be very remained relatively low and was
Nevertheless, IS succeeded in low. Rather than attempting to limited to a small number of
maintaining an online presence travel to the conflict zone, the countries. However, the number
largely thanks to unofficial focus of jihadist networks in of arrests linked to right-wing
supporter networks and pro- EU Member States has shifted terrorism, while remaining
IS media outlets. Both IS and towards carrying out activities in relatively low, continued to
al-Qaeda continued to seek the EU – both online and offline. increase strongly, effectively
out new online vectors for their Jihadists continued to be inspired doubling for the second year
propaganda. In particular, they by IS propaganda but also in a row. Right-wing extremists
promoted the use of alternative consumed propaganda produced exploit fears of perceived
platforms and open source by other groups claiming to attempts to Islamicise society
technologies. defend Islam against a global and grievances linked to an
attack, including al-Qaeda. alleged loss of national identity.
The violent right-wing extremist
scene is very heterogeneous on
the national level and among EU
While IS online propaganda
Member States.
remained technologically The number of individuals
advanced, and hackers returning to the EU remained very
appeared to be knowledgeable low, with hundreds of European
in encrypted communication citizens remaining in detention
tools, the group’s cyber-attack in Iraq and Syria. All men and Hawala banking continued to
capabilities and techniques some women are believed to be an important instrument in
were rudimentary. In addition, have received weapons training, terrorism financing. The misuse
no other terrorist group with a with men also acquiring combat of credit systems, non-profit
demonstrated capacity to carry experience. While minors are and charity organisations, and
out effective cyber-attacks essentially victims, there are small-scale business ventures in
emerged in 2018. concerns among EU Member fundraising for terrorism remain
States that they have been a matter of concern.
exposed to indoctrination and
training in former IS territories,
and may pose a potential future
Despite the degradation of IS’
threat. The abuse of migration
organisational structures, the With regard to terrorism trials
flows by terrorists to enter the EU
group maintains the intent to concluded in 2018, jihadist
does not seem to be systematic.
conduct attacks outside conflict terrorism convictions remained
zones, potentially using former the highest in number;
members and individuals nevertheless, there was also a
inspired by propaganda. There is noted increase in left-wing and
a continued risk that individuals right-wing terrorism convictions.
with criminal background,
including those currently
imprisoned, are vulnerable to
indoctrination and might engage
in terrorism.general overview 10 1/ General overview
general overview 11
Terrorist attacks
and arrests
Attacks and arrests by EU Member
State in 2018.
1 7
3
60 273 4 49 2
1 166 2 59
2
1 1
35
30 310 2
2
14
13 56
11 52
7 22
total 129 1 056general overview 12
Attacks
In 2018, a total of 129 foiled, failed The United Kingdom1 (UK) experienced the highest number
of attacks in total (60), followed by France, Italy, Spain,
and completed attacks were reported Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden2.
by EU Member States. 1
Of the attacks reported by the UK, 56 were acts of security-related incidents in
Northern Ireland, including one attack on national security targets.
2
For detailed information, see Annex 2.
Failed, foiled or completed attacks in the EU per
affiliation/Member State in 2018.
Terror attacks by affiliation
-is d
e
e
g
ifi
su
No win
Si pec
Etno-nationalist and separatist Jihadist Left-wing
t-
le
ts
83 19
gh
24
ng
Ri
UK France Spain NL DE BE SE Italy Greece
60 30 11 4 2 1 1 13 7
Terror attacks by Member Stategeneral overview 13
The total number of attacks decreased Overall, attacks specified as ethno-nationalist
and separatist continued to represent the largest
after a sharp spike in 2017, primarily proportion. As in previous years, the countries
reporting terrorist attacks linked to separatist
because of the decrease in reported terrorism were the UK (56), France (20) and Spain (7).
separatist-related incidents.
Terrorist attacks in the EU by affiliation,
2015-2018.
211
205
Number of attacks
total 142
129
2015 2016 2017 2018
Jihadist 17 13 33 24
Left-wing 13 27 24 19
Right-wing 9 1 5 1
Etno-nationalist 65 99 137 83
and separatist
Single-issue 1
Non 107 2 6 1
specifiedgeneral overview 14
In 2018, the number of foiled, failed and completed
jihadist terrorist attacks decreased significantly
compared to 2017, from 33 to 24.
This number includes 16 incidents reported by France (7), the UK (3), the
In 2018, 13 victims died
Netherlands (2), Germany (2), Italy (1) and Sweden (1) as foiled terrorist plots.
Notably, for the second year in a row, the number of reported foiled terrorist attacks as a result of terrorist
outnumbered the completed attacks. attacks and 53 people
were injured. Similar
Similarly to 2017, Greece, Italy and Spain were the targets of attacks carried out by
left-wing and anarchist terrorists. One right-wing attack was noted by Italy. to previous years, all
reported fatalities and
the vast majority of
casualties were caused
by jihadist terrorists.
Jihadist terrorist attacks 2017-2018
2017 2018
In terms of weaponry,
the use of firearms and
explosives continued
to prevail, in particular
completed 10 7
in separatist and
anarchist-affiliated
attacks.
failed 12 1
Civilians, private
businesses and
public institutions
were among the most
frequent targets.
foiled 11 16
totalgeneral overview 15
Arrests
In 2018, 1 056 individuals were arrested in the EU on suspicion of Similar to the trend observed
terrorism-related offences, with the highest number of arrestees in
France (310) and in the UK (2733). The number slightly decreased in previous years, most arrests
compared to 2017 but remained close to the average of recent years.
in 2018 were related to jihadist
3
The number excludes 148 arrests made in Northern Ireland. terrorism (511 out of 1056).
1 219
Arrests in the EU
for terrorism-related 1 077 1 056
offences, 1 002
2015-2018
Total
Jihadist 687 718 705
511
2015 2016 2017 2018
France Belgium
Arrests in the EU 310 166
for terrorism-related
offences by Member
State in 2018
Germany Italy
59 56
Total
1 056
United Kingdom
273 Spain Austria
52 35
Sweden
Greece
7
Netherlands
22
49 Denmark 3
Czechia 2
Poland 2
Bulgaria Slovenia 2
14 Romania 2
Luxembourg 1
Slovakia 1general overview 16
The number of arrests related to left-wing and right-wing
terrorism remained comparatively low, however the number
of right-wing terrorist arrests continued to increase for the
third consecutive year.
Arrests in the EU 67
for right-/left-wing
terrorism-related
offences,
2015-2018
44
Right-wing
36 34
Left-wing 31
20
11 12
2015 2016 2017 2018
In 2018, most arrests were made The average age of those arrested The majority of arrestees were
on suspicion of preparing or was 33, with almost half of the EU citizens, with female suspects
attempting to commit a terrorist suspects being younger than more likely to possess EU
act; membership of a terrorist 30, and 22 % older than 40. As in citizenship. In most cases, the
group, including while being previous years, the suspects were country of birth was the same as
abroad; and financing terrorism. predominantly male. that of citizenship.general overview 17
Terrorist and violent
extremist activities
Financing of terrorism
The majority of terrorist acts economic sanctions. This manner of
committed in 2018 required conducting business, ethnic-oriented
minimal or no financing and were and based on trust, is a suitable
unsophisticated in their preparation Hawala banking continued channel to move and provide finances
and execution. The perpetrators for terrorist purposes. Nevertheless,
themselves were able to provide the
to be an important an important note has to be made
funds for such attacks in various instrument in the – the underground banking is
ways, without leaving traces. financing of terrorism profit-oriented. The connections
and the possibility for support from
Whenever external funding is needed,
‘underground banking’ to terrorist
diverse methods are employed,
from the basic to the highly Terrorists continued using organisations is undoubtedly an
important aspect, but not the
complex. Funds may be generated non-profit organisations main purpose of existence of the
by terrorist organisations from
to raise funds for terrorist ‘underground’ financial system.
illegal activities, e.g. extortion and
the smuggling of migrants. Many purposes from Muslim A number of investigations in the
terrorist organisations, however, have communities EU Member States demonstrated
legitimate businesses from which the how the issues of money laundering,
proceeds are diverted to terrorism human trafficking and migrant
purposes. Small-scale business smuggling and terrorism financing
ventures are also assessed to be used for participating in a ‘Kampanya’ interlinked. Italy, for example, reported
for the financing of terrorism. Terrorist (fundraising campaign). The money the arrests of four individuals in
funding has also occurred through collected is believed to having been 2018 on suspicion of transferring
loans and credit which are not paid used to finance the functioning of the money to Syria, originating both from
back. many PKK media and the functioning spontaneous donations of Syrian
of the organisation, the purchase individuals living in various European
Terrorist groups have been observed
of equipment to support the PKK countries and from proceeds
to use charities and fundraising
military camps, the purchase of generated by smuggling of migrants
organisations to extract funds from
weapons for the guerrillas and also from the Middle East to Northern
communities under the umbrella
the organisation of attacks on Turkish Europe. Part of the money involved
of humanitarian aid, for instance,
territory. was to be used to fund a terrorist
to support families and orphans of
organisation affiliated to al-Qaeda
killed fighters, and to build mosques Money transfer systems such as operating in Syria.
and wells. Furthermore, non-profit hawala4 continue to be an important
organisations may be used for money instrument in terrorism financing. Both surface- and dark-web sites are
laundering. The core of the ‘underground used to request online donations,
banking’ systems is the specifics including virtual currencies. The
The Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan
of the financial and interpersonal most common crypto currency
(PKK, Kurdistan Workers’ Party) is
relationships and is highly adaptable appears to be Bitcoin. One example
known to collect money in Europe
to conditions of conflicts/war and of fundraising campaigns through the
from membership fees, the sale of
dark-web is the one done via Sadaqa
publications, public events (concerts,
Coins, a crowdsourcing project that
etc.) and annual fundraising 4
Hawala is an informal method of money transfer
allegedly supports jihadist groups in
campaigns. Belgium reports the based on trust and honour, operating outside the
traditional banking system, whereby money is paid Syria. Since the areas in Africa, the
sentencing in 2018 of four individuals to a network of brokers (known as a hawaldars).general overview 18
Middle East or the Caucasus region to and malfunctions of IEDs with
which the funds have been remitted TATP charges)5 appeared to have
may be under control of terrorist accelerated these developments.
groups, it is difficult to assess where
In parallel, an increased use of
the funds really end up.
pyrotechnic mixtures (mainly
fireworks) – obtained legally or,
Explosives more often, illegally – was observed
in jihadist terrorist attacks and
The key threat in Europe related to
plots. In order to reduce availability
the unlawful use of explosives in
and misuse of illegal pyrotechnics,
the form of bomb attacks continued
international law enforcement
to emanate from groups or lone
operations in 2018 targeted and
actors linked to jihadist terrorism.
successfully disrupted complex
Even though 2018 did not witness
organised crime groups (OCGs)
a completed jihadist bomb attack,
dealing with the illegal production and
information collected during
sale of pyrotechnics across the EU6.
investigations into a considerable
number of disrupted terrorist plots Notably, attempts to use IEDs in
revealed plans and preparatory acts to combination with chemical or
utilise this type of weapons. However, biological toxins were observed in
in 2018, the number of jihadist 2018, something that has long been
bomb attacks and plots decreased promoted in jihadist propaganda and
compared to 2017. IED-making manuals.
Homemade explosives (HMEs) were In most cases, knowledge transfer
still used in most known explosive- with regard to HME and IED
related incidents linked to jihadist production was facilitated by the
terrorism. Regarding the type of use of online, often encrypted,
Most explosives in HMEs, a shift from the previously social networks and forums. While
predominant use of triacetone there were still cases of targeted
incidents linked to jihadist triperoxide (TATP) to a broader range instructions or remote assistance by
terrorism were homemade of HMEs was noted – in particular, virtual advisors on encrypted social
low explosives such as black powder, platforms, an increasing trend of
chlorate mixtures and fertilisers- collecting bomb-making knowledge
The use of low explosives based mixtures. from readily available online open
and pyrotechnic mixtures Control measures have made
sources (for example, pyrotechnic
and explosive enthusiast sites and
increased procurement of precursors for the
forums) was noted.
production of TATP increasingly
difficult. In 2018, there were The explosive-related jihadist plots
indications of attempts to use in 2018 were aimed at soft targets
alternative explosive precursors for and mass gathering locations (public
its manufacture. In addition, some events, shopping areas, bars and
investigations indicated the use of clubs, etc.).
TATP in combination with other types
of explosive materials, in order to 5
For example, the explosion of the HME laboratory
in Alcanar, Spain, August 2017; and the above-
enhance the power and lethal effects ground Parsons Green Underground station
of the improvised explosive devices bombing in London, UK, September 2017.
(IEDs). Failures in using TATP by 6
See, for example, Eurojust and Europol joint press
terrorists in the second half of 2017 release “International cooperation disrupts illegal
fireworks network”, 6 December 2018, http://
(incidents during TATP manufacture www.eurojust.europa.eu/press/PressReleases/
Pages/2018/2018-12-06.aspx.general overview 19
In contrast, targets chosen by
anarchist extremist groups were
Chemical,
mostly state, financial, military, or law biological, Three terrorist plots
enforcement targets. For example,
there was an incident in Italy where radiological and involving CBRN materials
police first responders attending a
crime scene of an explosion were nuclear (CBRN) were disrupted in 2018 in
targeted with a secondary victim- the EU
operated IED. IEDs used in anarchist In 2018, three incidents involving
attacks were made from an array the use of chemical, biological,
of readily available materials. As in radioactive or other nuclear (CBRN) A general increase
materials were reported in the EU. In
previous years, in 2018 the anarchist
May 2018, an Egyptian national was
of CBRN terrorist
groups utilised simple improvised
incendiary devices (IIDs) filled with arrested in France on suspicion of propaganda, tutorials and
flammable liquids or IEDs filled with preparing a terrorist attack. At his threats was observed
easily accessible explosive materials, apartment in Paris, black powder
such as pyrotechnic mixtures (flash extracted from pyrotechnics and
powder or black powder). several tutorials explaining how to In November, in Sardinia (Italy) a
make an IED and how to use ricin to Lebanese citizen was arrested for the
The attack methodologies and commit a terrorist attack were found. preparation of a chemical-biological
capabilities used by Dissident
In June, a terrorist plot using ricin plot. His aim was to produce a
Republican (DR) groups in Northern
was uncovered in Cologne (Germany). mixture of lethal poisons in order to
Ireland (UK) vary across the groups.
Police found a large number of castor contaminate drinking water. The case
Many attacks involved firearms or
beans and a quantity of already was linked to the arrest of another
small IEDs such as pipe bombs, but
produced ricin in an apartment of a individual in Lebanon suspected of
they also deployed larger and/or
Tunisian citizen. The suspect who was planning to poison the water supply of
potentially more destructive devices
allegedly inspired by IS, was planning the Lebanese Armed Forces. Despite
such as vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs)
to combine the ricin with explosives, the high toxicity of the substances
and explosively formed projectiles
ball bearings and bladed weapons. involved, to date these have not been
(EFPs).
In the context of the investigation his associated with any terrorist attack.
wife was also arrested.general overview 20
Online discussions of planning
CBRN attacks increased in 2018.
As in previous years, intentions to
use CBRN materials were expressed Cyber-attack tools
mainly by jihadists. Closed forums
were used to propose possible
and techniques used
modi operandi, share instructions to by terrorists remained
produce and disperse various agents limited
and to identify high-profile targets.
However, the technical information
was not always accurate. IS sympathisers
In July and August 2018, IS-linked successfully carried out
group al-Abd al-Faqir Media (AF
defacements and low-
Media) launched a campaign titled
Bio-Terror via Telegram promoting level hacks
the use of biological weapons.
A number of videos, posters and
infographics contained instructions,
albeit inaccurate, for manufacturing
biological agents and providing
instructions on how to obtain and
deploy the microorganisms7.
The barrier for gaining knowledge
on the use of CBRN weapons
has decreased. The handling and
containment of biological agents,
which used to be a major challenge,
has become more feasible. Dual-
use equipment and materials (e.g.
laboratory kits or home cleaning
products) are easily accessible. In The convergence of cyber and terrorism
2018, the procurement of biological
There has been much concern IS sympathisers have successfully
toxins, such as abrin and ricin,
and speculation over the past few carried out a small number of
through online and underground
years that terrorists could turn to defacements and low-level hacks
marketplaces continued to be a trend.
launching cyber-attacks against and in March 2018, IS supporters
There were no reports of terrorist use
critical infrastructure. However, attempted to come up with an
of radioactive isotopes or nuclear
while the so-called Islamic State alternative to Facebook. Dubbed
material in 2018.
(IS) online propaganda appears the Muslim’s Network, it was made
technologically advanced and available in Arabic, English and
their hackers may be well versed in French. However, the platform was
encrypted communication tools, their not an in-house development but had
cyber-attack tools and techniques been purchased online for a small
remain rudimentary. They still amount of money.
purchase domain-hosting services,
7
The information contained in the Bio-Terror video downloading software and renting
released during this campaign about the production botnets for distributed denial-of-
of deadly microorganisms – petalominium – was
very basic and with several mistakes indicating service (DDoS) attacks rather than
poor knowledge of microbiology. The information developing their own cyber weapons.
provided was therefore considered not enough to
weaponise the microorganisms concerned.general overview 21
Convictions and
penalties
Number of individuals in concluded court proceedings for terrorist
offences in 2016, 2017 and 2018, as reported to Eurojust*.
653
580 565
2016 2017 2018
* The data for previous years corresponds to the data reported in the respective TE-SAT reports.
In 2018, 17 EU Member In 2018, France was the Member State as compared to 2017 (66) and 2016
that reported the highest number (53). The practice in some countries,
States reported a total of individuals in concluded court such as Belgium, France and the
Netherlands, to render sentences in
of 653 individuals proceedings for terrorist offences
absentia continued with respect to
(141), followed by Spain (120), the UK
who were convicted or (115) and Belgium (80)10. In Greece, defendants who were believed to be in
ten individuals were tried more than conflict zones or were claimed to have
acquitted of terrorist once during the year in different died but were not officially declared
offences8. This number terrorism proceedings. As a result, the dead. Some individuals sentenced
total number of verdicts pronounced for terrorist offences in 2018 had
is higher than the for terrorism-related offences in 2018 previously been convicted of terrorism
numbers reported over was 664. or other offences in the same Member
State or abroad.
the past two years9. Some of the defendants who
appeared before courts in the EU
Member States were minors at
8
Eurojust received contributions containing the time of trial and/or when the
information on terrorism-related court decisions offences were committed. The
in 2018 from the following EU Member States:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, number of female defendants judged
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, in 2018 (94) continued to increase
Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden and the UK. If a verdict pronounced in
2018 was appealed and the appeal was concluded 10
before the end of the year, Eurojust reported only The UK contribution includes proceedings on
on the latest/final verdict. offences under anti-terrorism legislation, as well
as other offences assessed to be terrorism-related.
9
Please refer to Annex 4 for additional information Similar to previous years, the UK data for 2018
on the numbers mentioned in this section. refers only to convictions.general overview 22
Some of the verdicts reported in 2018 network recruiting and sending injured. The two were found guilty of
are final while others are pending fighters to join jihadist terrorist attempted assassination and illegal
judicial remedy, as appeals have been organisations abroad. The network possession of firearms, both in a
submitted11. had facilitated the integration of terrorist context.
foreign fighters into al-Qaeda in
A prison sentence of six years was
Type of terrorism the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the
ordered by the District Court of
Movement for Oneness and Jihad
In 2018 the majority (399) of verdicts Rotterdam in the case of a Dutch
in West Africa (MOJWA), Jabhat
in the EU Member States concerned foreign fighter, who had joined IS
al-Nusra and IS, in Mali, Libya, Iraq
jihadist terrorism confirming a trend and is believed to still be in Syria.
and Syria. It had members in Spain,
that started in 201512. Similar to The man, tried in absentia, was
Belgium, Luxembourg, Turkey, Tunisia,
the previous years, a large part of found guilty of participation in a
Libya, Mali, France and Morocco,
the verdicts for jihadist terrorism terrorist organisation. He left for
all performing different functions,
concerned offences related to so- Syria in November 2013 and has
including recruitment, document
called Islamic State (IS); however, been recognised in several videos
forgery, financing, facilitators in the
persons linked to al-Qaeda (AQ), the from the conflict zone. The Dutch
destination country and smugglers.
Taleban, Al-Shabaab or Hezbollah authorities also received information
The court convicted all six defendants
were also tried in 2018. from the US Department of Defense
of terrorist offences. The leader
that an IS registration form in his
Courts in France, Belgium and Spain of the network was found guilty of
name had been found in October 2015
rendered the highest number of directing and promoting a terrorist
in Syria. The court considered the
verdicts concerning jihadist terrorism organisation, with a mitigating
form authentic. The defendant had
in 2018 (123, 76 and 68 respectively). circumstance for confessing the
been informed of the upcoming court
Bulgaria, Finland, Italy, Slovenia and crime and was ordered to serve eight
hearings via Facebook Messenger.
Sweden reported only verdicts for years of imprisonment, followed by
He had informed the police of his
jihadist terrorism in 2018. probation for seven years. Four of
intention to return to the Netherlands,
his co-defendants were convicted of
Six defendants appeared before the which was the reason why a hearing
belonging to a terrorist organisation
Audiencia Nacional (National High had been postponed to allow him to
and received a six-year sentence
Court) in Spain for their alleged be present. Following news in the
each and a probation period of five
involvement in a major terrorist media that the defendant had died in
years upon release. The four had
battle, a journalist published an article
also confessed to the crime. The
claiming he had received an open
sixth defendant was sentenced to
11
According to Council Decision 2005/671/JHA of letter from the defendant addressed
20 September 2005 on the exchange of information five years’ imprisonment, followed
to the judge. The letter claimed
and cooperation concerning terrorist offences, by a probation period of five years,
the information to be submitted to Eurojust is in that, together with his fiancée, he
after the court found him guilty
relation to final convictions. Due to the specifics had staged his own death to ensure
of reporting, some EU Member States submit of collaboration with a terrorist
information on final decisions only, while other EU his safe trip to the Turkish border.
organisation.
Member States also report on not final decisions. It stated further that he would not
The data provided by the UK did not distinguish
between final decisions and decisions pending The main living suspect of the 2015 be able to come back for the court
judicial remedy. As reported, all convictions in the Paris attacks was sentenced to 20 hearing but would definitely do so if
UK are effective from the moment of their being
pronounced, even if an appeal is made. years of imprisonment, and a fine he were convicted and need to appear
12 of EUR 6 000 by the Court of First before the Court of Appeal. The
The data provided by the UK was not broken
down by type of terrorism and is therefore not Instance of Brussels for terrorist court concluded that the defendant
included in the numbers in this section. offences unrelated to the attacks. had clearly revoked his right to be
The same penalty was handed to his present at the first instance trial.
co-defendant. Both men had been When considering the severity of the
arrested in Brussels on 15 March penalty, the court did not take into
2016 following a shoot-out with the account the fact that the defendant
police, which had left four officers had left for Syria in a period whengeneral overview 23
As in 2017, left-wing terrorism cases
were brought before the courts
in Czechia, Greece and Spain in
2018. The greatest increase was
seen in Greece, where 33 verdicts
were handed down, as compared
to 17 in 2017. The number of
decisions includes those in which
the defendants were acquitted. One
less had been known about IS and Belgium, France, Germany and Czech case heard by the High Court
the caliphate had not been declared. Spain) reported cases of separatist in Prague was brought against two
Furthermore, it considered it an terrorism in 2018. Courts in Spain men and three women, accused of
aggravating circumstance that the tried the largest number of individuals preparing a bomb attack on a train in
defendant had been with IS in a period charged with such offences (40). In Czechia. These alleged offences were
when the terrorist organisation had March 2018, for example, the Spanish charged as preparation of a terrorist
committed an increased number of National Court handed a prison attack and categorised as left-wing
attacks. sentence of almost six years to an terrorism. The defendants were
Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA) member acquitted.
The majority (64) of the female
with several previous terrorism
defendants were tried for jihadist Germany and the Netherlands
convictions. The man was found
terrorist offences, which also reported verdicts for right-wing
guilty of participation in a terrorist
presents an increase compared to terrorist offences and the total
organisation. He left Spain after
2017 (42). The Court of First Instance number of reported verdicts increased
serving his sentence for a previous
of West Flanders, Bruges division, in from four in 2017 to 22 in 2018. In
conviction. He settled in France from
Belgium heard the case of a young Germany, for instance, the Higher
where he made contacts with ETA. He
woman charged with participation Regional Court of Dresden heard the
received false documents and a car
in the activities of a terrorist group. case of seven men and one woman
registration plate and was instructed
The court re-qualified the conduct accused to have formed part of the
to leave for London, where he was
as spreading or making otherwise extremist right group Gruppe Freital
hosted by another ETA member. In
public of a message with the purpose (Freital Group) since July 2015.
January 2014 the Spanish authorities
of inciting a terrorist offence. In The group’s objective was to attack
issued a European Arrest Warrant
particular, the charges referred to asylum seeker accommodation, and
in his name. He was arrested in
making propaganda for IS via the apartments, offices and vehicles of its
the UK in February 2016 together
internet, maintaining contacts with political opponents. Group members
with another ETA member and was
fighters in the conflict zone and had been accused of committing
later surrendered to the Spanish
providing moral and financial support a series of bomb attacks in 2015,
authorities.
to French nationals suspected of including on the vehicle of a left-wing
terrorist offences. All activities had The Higher Regional Court of Celle politician and a left-wing party office,
been carried out over the internet. in Germany found one Turkish on a refugee camp and an asylum
The court found that the defendant national guilty of membership in centre. The charges against them
had been extremely active online and a foreign terrorist organisation included leadership or membership
had uploaded content, directly and and sentenced him to 18 months’ in a terrorist organisation, multiple
indirectly, inciting the commission imprisonment. The court found that attempted murders and grievous
of terrorist acts, including bomb the man had belonged to the PKK and bodily harm. The court found all eight
attacks. The court found her guilty played a leading role in the terrorist defendants guilty and sentenced
and ordered her to serve four years in organisation’s structures in the seven of them to prison terms of
prison, of which two on probation, and Lohne-Dinklage area between August five to ten years, and one to a youth
to pay a fine of € 2000. 2014 and October 2016. The man sentence of four years.
had also acted as a co-leader for the
Five EU Member States (Austria,
region of Oldenburg.general overview 24
Type of offences
As in previous years, a large number The man stated that he performed the of Parliament in London and was
of criminal cases concluded in 2018 attack on behalf of IS. assisted by her mother. Her sister
concerned participation in (the was also convicted of planning to
In June 2018, the Varsinais-Suomi
activities of) a terrorist group. A commit another attack close to the
District Court sentenced the
smaller number of the defendants British Museum in London. She was
perpetrator of a terrorist attack
in 2018 were tried for glorification of sentenced in August to a life term,
in Turku, Finland, in August 2017
terrorism and humiliation of victims with a minimum of 13 years to be
to a cumulative sentence of life
of terrorism, recruitment and (self- served. She had married an IS fighter
imprisonment for killing two people
) training for terrorist purposes, online and had planned to join him
and injuring eight others. The
financing of terrorism, travel to a in Syria before being stopped by
defendant was further liable to pay
zone controlled by a terrorist group, the security service. The mother is
damages to the victims. The court
instigation to commit terrorist acts, believed to have played a major role
found that the defendant had acted in
etc. or for attempting to commit such in radicalising her daughters. A fourth
the name of IS and that the murders
crimes. In some cases, terrorism young woman was also found guilty
and attempted murders had been
charges were filed in parallel with of possessing information about
committed with terrorist intent. The
charges for other offences, e.g. terrorist acts.
defendant had intended to cause
murder, manufacture, supply and
serious fear among the population Judgments in 2018 continued to
possession of explosives or weapons,
and perceived himself as a promoter address the use of social media and
migrant smuggling, aggravated
of IS’s cause. He also prepared for various other online platforms to
damage to property, and forgery of
the attack by sharing a manifest that spread terrorist content, glorify and
official documents.
expressed the ideological and political incite the commission of terrorist
In 2018, several cases concerned background and objectives of IS, as acts. In Spain, the National Court
the preparation or the commission well as aspirations to promote its heard the case of a Moroccan national
of recent terrorist attacks in goals, with discussion forums on the charged with self-indoctrination. On
Europe. In Sweden, for example, Telegram instant messaging service. several occasions through the Amaq
Stockholm District Court in June news Agency, the defendant accessed
Life imprisonment, with a minimum
2018 sentenced an Uzbek national propaganda which had been created
of 16 years to be served, and a prison
to life imprisonment for committing and spread by IS. The defendant’s
term of six years and nine months
terrorist crimes. The defendant, a radicalisation process was further
were ordered by the Central Criminal
40-year old male, stole a lorry to boosted by regularly accessing
Court of England and Wales to a
mow down pedestrians in the centre the website Muslim News, which
mother and a daughter who belonged
of Stockholm on 7 April 2017. The contained a depository of numerous
to the first female terrorist cell in the
incident led to the death of five audio files and roughly 5 000 videos
UK. The daughter had planned to
individuals; ten others were injured. with radical jihadist content. The
carry out a knife attack close Housegeneral overview 25
defendant admitted to carrying out executions. The young man regularly Facebook and once contact with the
these acts. The court handed down a looked up IS videos, supported their person was satisfactory, they would
prison sentence of two years and two actions online, placed IS propaganda use WhatsApp to continue with
months. on the internet and visited websites indoctrination. This process prompted
about suicide terrorist attacks. In the recruitment of at least three young
In Italy, the Milan Assize Court found
March, he was found guilty and people of Moroccan nationality. The
one person guilty of membership
sentenced to youth detention of six defendants were sentenced between
of a terrorist organisation and
months and 181 days, part of which four and seven years imprisonment.
disseminating, via an app and on the
was suspended.
internet, material inciting or provoking The Spanish National Court found
the commission of terrorist acts. The The female defendants in 2018 were another woman guilty of collaboration
court sentenced the man to serve 28 tried for leading a terrorist group, with a terrorist organisation and
months in prison after it considered it preparing to commit terrorist acts, sentenced her to two years in prison.
proven that he had publicly instigated participating in or collaborating with She had prepared to leave for Syria
others to commit terrorist offences. a terrorist organisation, financing to marry a man who was presumably
The court found that he had praised terrorism, glorification of terrorism, a member of IS. The defendant tried
and fostered anti-democratic spreading messages inciting to to help him come back to the EU by
feelings and religious hatred, and commit a terrorist offence, among providing a false passport.
glorified jihad and martyrdom. He had other types of offences.
In 2018, courts in several EU Member
used multiple Facebook profiles to
In Spain, four defendants appeared States handled cases against
promote terrorist ideology and tools
before the National Court charged defendants who were under legal
to pursue the goals of conquest and
with indoctrination and recruitment of age at the time the offences were
expansion of IS. The court considered
supporters to a terrorist organisation. committed. In Germany, the Higher
the use of IT and electronic means
The group was led by a woman Regional Court of Hamburg sentenced
of communication an aggravating
who started the recruitment and three Syrian nationals to years-long
circumstance.
indoctrination of other women in imprisonment for membership in a
In the Netherlands, a teenager 2014 with the intention to reach Syria foreign terrorist organisation (IS) and
appeared before Rotterdam District to join IS. She was planning to marry (attempted) document forgery. The
Court charged with participation in one of the other defendants and first defendant was sentenced to six
the terrorist organisations IS and the travel with him to Syria. Moreover, and a half years imprisonment. The
United Cyber Caliphate (UCC). The she maintained a close relationship other two were minors at the time of
court heard that between November with the other woman in the group the offence and as such received a
2016 and June 2017 he had made whose task also concerned the juvenile penalty of three and a half
and distributed videos on instruction recruitment of supporters as well years each. The court found that the
from the UCC, as well as other videos as the management of WhatsApp three had been part of an IS ‘sleeper
inciting armed (jihadist) fighting. The groups. To indoctrinate and recruit cell’. The terrorist organisation
videos also contained also images of of supporters, they first used had arranged for them to travel togeneral overview 26
Germany with fake passports, cash offences in 2018. In some cases, The lowest prison sentence ordered
and mobile phones in 2015 and defendants were acquitted of terrorist by courts in the EU Member States
awaited orders for an attack. offences but convicted of other in 2018 was three months and
offences, such as drug trafficking and the highest was 535 years. Two
An Austrian court sentenced a
document fraud14. such penalties of 535 years of
16-year-old minor to ten months
imprisonment were given to two ETA
imprisonment with a probationary Similar to 2017, all prosecutions
members in Spain, who placed an
period of three years. The minor, who for right-wing terrorist offences in
explosive device in a busy Madrid
is a Serbian national, was indicted 2018 resulted in convictions. The
street. Many people were injured
for membership in a terrorist and percentage of convictions among the
and material seriously damaged as a
criminal organisation, as well as for verdicts for jihadist terrorism in 2018
result.
the endorsement of terrorist offences. remained very high (89 %, the same
The crimes were committed by as in 2017). The conviction rate for More than half (59 %) of the penalties
actively participating in chat groups separatist terrorist offences remained handed down with guilty verdicts in
disseminating jihadist propaganda the same as in 2017 (71 %), while 2018 were of imprisonment of up to
and setting up plans to travel to Syria that for left-wing offences decreased five years, which presents a slight
in order to join IS. slightly (from 72 % in 2017 to 70 % in decrease compared to 2017 (61 %),
2018)15. while sentences of ten and more
years of imprisonment increased
Convictions and Penalties from 12 % in 2017 to 15 % in 2018.
In several cases in Austria, Finland,
acquittals The average prison sentence for Germany, Sweden and the UK the
terrorist offences in the EU in 2018 courts ordered life sentences for the
In 2018, seven EU Member States
was seven years, which is higher committed terrorist offences.
reported that all terrorism verdicts
than in 2016 and 2017 (five years)16.
had resulted in convictions, while It should, however, be taken into
others reported both convictions and consideration that the severity of the
14
acquittals13. Successful prosecutions Eurojust considers it one verdict if an individual is
penalty in each case would depend on
convicted of more than one terrorist offence within
resulting only in convictions were the same proceeding, or convicted of a terrorist the respective offence and specific
concluded in Bulgaria, Denmark, offence and acquitted of another offence. If an
circumstances and cannot serve any
individual is acquitted of a terrorist offence and
Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, convicted of another offence, the verdict is included comparative purposes. In addition, in
Slovenia and Sweden; whereas in the overview as acquittal of terrorism.
some EU Member States the average
France, Germany and Greece had a 15
The data provided by the UK was not broken sentence is calculated on the basis
very low percentage of acquittals down by type of terrorism and is therefore not used
to calculate the conviction rate. of one conviction, while in others it
securing convictions for the vast 16 is based on a considerably higher
For the purpose of the calculation of the average
majority of those tried for terrorist prison sentence, penalties exceeding 40 years of number of convictions.
imprisonment and life sentences were counted as
40 years. In the cases where the court ordered a Similar to 2017, the highest average
minimum number of years of the life sentence to be
13
2018 data for the UK refers only to convictions served, the sentence was included in the overview prison sentence was ordered for
and is not included in the numbers in this section. with the minimum number of years indicated.general overview 27
left-wing terrorist offences and
Austria 4
increased from ten to 16 years. The
average prison term for separatist
and right-wing terrorist offences
increased from four to eight and six Belgium 5
years respectively. As in the past two
years, the average prison sentence for
Average* sentences (excluding
jihadist terrorist offences remained Bulgaria 3 non-prison penalties) per
five years17. Member State in 2018, as
In some cases, in addition to the reported to Eurojust.
Czechia 3
prison terms ordered by the court, the Average sentence in years
convicted individuals were subjected
to mandatory psychotherapy,
Denmark 3
or admitted in a mental health
institution. Furthermore, additional
penalties included fines, restrictions
on exercising certain civil rights France 5
or working in certain sectors (e.g.
education), travel bans, expulsion
from the national territory, fixed Germany 5
probationary period upon release, etc.
In France, most of those convicted
were entered into the national judicial
database for terrorist offences and
in the UK, terrorist offenders were
subjected to counter terrorism Greece 16
registration. In some cases, juvenile
penalties were given or the sentence
was partially or fully suspended. In
other cases, the sentencing or the
execution of the prison sentence was Hungary 4
postponed upon certain conditions, or
the penalty was still to be determined
by the judge at the time of reporting.
Italy 6
In the cases when courts in the EU
Membr States did not impose a prison
term, they ordered other penalties,
Lithuania 2
such as community service, fines,
referral orders in case of minor
offenders, etc.
Netherlands 4
17
The data provided by the UK was not broken
down by type of terrorism and is therefore not Slovenia 3
included in the overview.
Spain 8
* The average sentence in Bulgaria, Czechia
and Slovenia is based on one conviction
in each country. In Finland and Sweden,
only one penalty of life imprisonment
was ordered by the national courts and is
therefore not included in the overview.
United Kingdom 7You can also read
