It is estimated that 50% to 80% of Europeans involved with ISIS have a criminal record. So say recent studies by the EU Institute for Security Studies and the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence. Furthermore, up to 40% of terrorist plots in Europe are partly financed through petty crimes. In fact, criminals are specifically targeted by ISIS recruiters because of their skill sets. In return, ISIS offers what researchers call, ‘redemptive narratives’. These preach forgiveness and belonging to those with criminal pasts, while legitimizing future crimes. I recently spoke with Amanda Paul, co-author of a large study on the link between criminality and jihadist terrorism in Europe.
The link between crime and terrorism is not new. Reports by organisations like the RAND Corporation showed that ISIS generated over 6 billion dollars at the height of its territorial control in 2015. Oil revenues clearly played an important part but a range of other criminal activities such as theft and antiquities smuggling were also used to generate income. Bottom-up funding through petty crime is also key. To this end, recruitment of individuals with a criminal background is increasingly common. Social media has proved highly powerful in this regard. Prisons and recently released prisoners as well as returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) are also fertile sources. Vulnerable individuals such as these are more easily recruited by ISIS and similar.
“Sometimes people with the worst pasts create the best futures”– Facebook posting from UK extremist group.
Amanda Paul, of the European Policy Center (EPC) in Brussels, recently to spoke here in the Hague about the results of a 9 month research project completed in cooperation with the Counter Extremism Project. Independent research on ten European countries including Albania, Belgium, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom was conducted from October 2018 until the summer of 2019. The results provide a complex picture of radicalization within Europe and its links to the crime-terror nexus. Nevertheless, certain trends stand out. The growing overlap between crime and terrorism in Europe is particularly prominent in those with immigrant backgrounds, specifically alienated youth. Young males, from socially excluded areas with low living standards and/or suffering from mental illness or substance abuse, often with friends or family who are already radicalized, are particularly vulnerable.
The study also highlights the potential security threat posed by returning foreign terrorist fights both in and outside of prison. Many of the hundreds of known returning FTFs have not been prosecuted in European countries due to lack of evidence for specific offenses. This means that many simply return to deprived communities where narratives of heroism in war are often unopposed. The study talks of some becoming ‘insurgent rock stars’ with the potential to radicalise others and create new jihadist networks. For those who do go to prison, sentences are often no more than 3 years, leaving little time for rehabilitation. Furthermore, in countries such as France, Belgium, Sweden and the UK, where prisons are overcrowded, understaffed and have inadequate programmes for rehabilitation, the potential for radicalization is greatly increased. Some European countries, especially Sweden and the Netherlands, support the idea of an international tribunal to try FTFs . They are currently looking for support from other EU member states.
No quick fixes.
So far, there are few examples of released terrorist offenders successfully disengaging from extremist ideology and reintegrating in into society. The findings of the study highlight two areas of focus: the prison system and systems of integration in main stream European society. An ‘All of society’ approach to prevention is recommended by Paul and Acheson. Educational institutions, the role of community police and programmes aimed at building resilience in marginalised communities are all key. The provision of positive role models for youth, careful monitoring of mosques and religious schools as well as cracking down on petty crime are also recommended.
‘Discussing radicalization should not be taboo’ – Amanda Paul.
For those who are already radicalized, prison systems and information sharing relating to prison services are highlighted for greater attention. Research across all ten countries shows that there are significant gaps in the transfer of information and intelligence on extremist prisoners between European countries, from their time in custody to their release. Discussing radicalization should not be considered a taboo.
To this end, they recommend the creation of an Extremist Prisoner Information Center (EPIC) to facilitate information sharing between EU prison information systems. This in turn would feed into enhanced powers for the European Border and Coastguard agency. Which would facilitate the provision of a high quality, security focused common response to FTFs. The creation of a network of high-security prisons across Europe with effective rehabilitation centers would complete this multi-agency approach. Such a long-term, holistic approach underpinned by more open, honest exchange of information and discussion is no small ask. But more integrated, resilient societies across Europe are surely worth the investment.
