Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat in the European Union (EU), according to a Europol report released this Wednesday, adding that 28 attacks have been recorded in 2022 and four people have died in these attacks.
According to Europol’s Situation and Trends Report on Terrorism in the European Union 2023 (TE-SAT), terrorism remains a serious threat in the countries of the European bloc. Last year there were 28 completed, failed or foiled attacks.
Sixteen of these attacks were completed and four people were killed, two as a result of ‘jihadist’ attacks and two in a right-wing terrorist attack.
Of the sixteen attacks, 13 were committed by members of the extreme left and anarchists (13), two by ‘jihadists’ and one by elements of the extreme right.
The total number of carried out, failed or frustrated attacks increased compared to 2021 (18 attacks), but was lower than the total number of cases that occurred in 2020 (56).
EU member states arrested 380 people in 2022 for terrorism-related crimes. Most of the arrests were made following investigations related to ‘jihadist’ terrorism, particularly in France (93), Spain (46), Germany (30) and Belgium (22).
The court proceedings that took place in 2022 resulted in 427 convictions and acquittals for terrorist crimes.
All court cases related to right-wing and left-wing terrorism led to convictions, while the conviction rate for ‘jihadist’ terrorism was 84 percent and for separatist terrorism 68 percent.
In Portugal, authorities recorded an arrest and two convictions in 2022, all related to “jihadist” terrorism.
According to the document, EU member states continue to view “jihadist” terrorism as the most prominent threat in the EU.
Lone actors remain a major threat and most attacks in 2022 were carried out by suspects acting alone. According to Europol, this can be seen across the spectrum, from ‘jihadists’ to left and right-wing extremism.
Internet and technology continued to be an important factor for propaganda, radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable persons to terrorism and violent extremism.
In addition to social media platforms, messaging apps, internet forums and video game platforms, decentralized platforms seem to have gained popularity in terrorist and violent extremist circles.
Other advanced technologies that are becoming increasingly visible include the production and use of 3D-printed weapons, particularly in the right-wing scene, and the use by terrorist elements of virtual assets, especially cryptocurrencies, to fund their terrorist activities.
Anti-system theories, conspiracy theories and opposition to technological advances seem to increasingly fill the space between ideologies and motivate violent action.
The most visible reactions to the war in Ukraine emerged in the early months of the war, mostly on the far-right spectrum, manifested in internet publications and a limited number of right-wing extremists traveling to the battlefield.
While interest in warfare in this medium appears to have gradually waned over the course of 2022, it is likely that conflict-related misinformation will continue to fuel terrorist and extremist narratives.
The report is based on qualitative and quantitative data provided by Member States on terrorist attacks, arrests and court decisions for terrorist offences.
Europol’s partners also provided qualitative information and assessments for the report’s conclusions.
Source: DN
