Terrorism continues to represent a serious threat in the European Union (EU), according to a Europol report released this Wednesday, which adds that in 2022 there were 28 attacks and four people died in these attacks.
According to Europol’s Report on the Situation and Trends of Terrorism in the European Union 2023 (TE-SAT), terrorism continues to pose a serious threat in the countries of the European bloc. Last year there were 28 completed, failed or frustrated attacks.
Among these attacks, sixteen were completed and four people lost their lives, two as a result of ‘jihadist’ attacks and two in a right-wing terrorist attack.
Of the sixteen attacks, 13 were carried out by members of the extreme left and anarchists (13), two by ‘jihadists’ and one by elements of the extreme right.
The total number of attacks carried out, failed or frustrated 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 for terrorism-related offenses in 2022. Most of the arrests were made following investigations related to “jihadist” terrorism, notably in France (93), Spain (46), Germany (30) and Belgium (22).
The judicial processes that took place in 2022 resulted in 427 convictions and acquittals for terrorist crimes.
All court cases involving right-wing and left-wing terrorism resulted in convictions, while the conviction rate for ‘jihadist’ terrorism was 84 percent and for separatist terrorism 68 percent.
According to the document, EU member states continue to see ‘jihadist’ terrorism as the most prominent threat in the EU.
Lone actors continue to be a major threat, with the majority of attacks in 2022 being carried out by suspects acting alone. This can be seen across the spectrum, from ‘jihadis’ to extremism on the right and left, according to Europol.
The Internet and technology continued to be a key enabler of propaganda, as well as radicalization and the recruitment of vulnerable people for terrorism and violent extremism.
In addition to social media platforms, messaging apps, internet forums, and gaming platforms, decentralized platforms seem to have gained popularity in terrorist and violent extremist circles.
Other advanced technologies that have become increasingly visible include the manufacture and use of 3D-printed weapons, particularly in the right-wing scene, and the use by terrorist elements of virtual assets, especially cryptocurrencies, to finance their activities. terrorists.
Anti-establishment theories, conspiracy theories, and opposition to technological advances seem to increasingly fill the gap between ideologies, providing motivations for violent action.
The most visible reactions to the war in Ukraine emerged in the early months of the war, mainly on the far-right spectrum, taking the form of Internet postings and a limited number of right-wing extremists traveling to join the battlefield.
While interest in the war in this medium appears to have gradually declined throughout 2022, it is likely that conflict-related misinformation will continue to feed terrorist and extremist narratives.
The report is based on qualitative and quantitative data provided by Member States on terrorist attacks, arrests and court sentences for terrorist offences.
Europol’s partners also provided qualitative information and assessments for the report’s conclusions.
Source: TSF
