Face of the enemy – the statistics of terror Author: Claire Packham

Source: significance media

The recent bombing of Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, in which 36 people lost their lives, has brought the threat of terrorist attacks back to the world’s attention. Last week Doku Umarov, one of the leaders of Russia’s Islamist movement, claimed responsibility for the attack, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

Logo of the 9-11 Commission

The subject of terrorism is by its very nature highly emotive, and it can be very easy to be swayed by personal feelings. It is therefore particularly interesting to read the results of theEuropean Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT) 2010. The report contains raw facts and figures relating to terrorist attacks, arrests and activities in the EU and is based mainly on information supplied by EU Member States from criminal investigations into terrorist offences, thereby giving a clear insight into the reality of the terrorist threat in Europe.

The overview of the report shows that in 2009 in the EU, 294 terrorist attacks were carried out in six Member States, and 587 individuals were arrested for terrorism-related offences in thirteen Member States. Separatist terrorist organisations were responsible for 237 of these attacks; all of which were carried out in France and Spain. During this time there was only one Islamist terrorist attack, directed at a military target in Italy.

Number of Individuals Arrested on Terrorism Charges in 2009 by Member State and Affiliation

Statistics found that the average age of the arrested suspects was 34 years. As in previous years, almost 40% of the suspects were younger than 30. Suspects arrested for Islamist terrorism were found to be, on average, older than those arrested for separatist terrorism.

The TE-SAT report also discusses financing behaviour of terrorist organisations, as well as the development of youth organisations and the use of the internet as a form of promotion and recruitment – it has become increasingly easy for propaganda to be made available in multiple languages via the internet, expanding potential audience numbers.

Key trends found that the decrease in attacks first seen in 2008 continued in 2009. However, a number of member states indicate that they believe the threat emanating from terrorist groups remains real and serious, and that the EU continues to be used as a platform to prepare and initiate other terrorist attacks around the world.