Jihadist Infiltration of Migrant Flows to Europe : Perpetrators, Modus Operandi and Policy Implications

"A remarkable study - timely, competent, and well-written ... a must-read for counter-terrorist professionals as well as public opinion leaders."--Alex P. Schmid, Editor-in-Chief of 'Perspectives on Terrorism' and former Officer-in-Charge of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of UNODC, Austria " ... the most in-depth exploration of [this topic] in recent years ... provides an impressive and highly useful analysis for researchers and policy makers alike." -Daniel Köhler, Director, German Institute on Radicalization and De-Radicalization Studies (GIRDS), Germany " ... a must-read analysis ... provides counterterrorism practitioners and policymakers with critical lessons learned and sobering predictions of the challenges ahead." -LTC (ret.) Bryan Price, founding executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, Seton Hall University, USA, and former Director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, USA " ... fills a critical gap in the terrorism literature ... Put simply, a must read for scholars, academics, and policy practitioners alike." -Colin P. Clarke, Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center, USA This book explores one of the most topical and controversial issues of recent years -jihadist terrorist infiltration of irregular migrant flows to Europe. Utilizing robust sampling criteria, more than a hundred such cases are identified and rigorously assessed. The analysis reveals the characteristics of offenders, their travel patterns and operational activities, and critically evaluates subsequent law enforcement and judicial responses. The author draws upon interviews with a range of European security officials, as well as non-governmental organization employees, and a recent refugee, in order to provide a series of practical recommendations. Sam Mullins is Professor of Counter-Terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany, and Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Wollongong, Australia.-- Provided by publisher "A remarkable study - timely, competent, and well-written ... a must-read for counter-terrorist professionals as well as public opinion leaders."--Alex P. Schmid, Editor-in-Chief of 'Perspectives on Terrorism' and former Officer-in-Charge of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of UNODC, Austria " ... the most in-depth exploration of [this topic] in recent years ... provides an impressive and highly useful analysis for researchers and policy makers alike." -Daniel Köhler, Director, German Institute on Radicalization and De-Radicalization Studies (GIRDS), Germany " ... a must-read analysis ... provides counterterrorism practitioners and policymakers with critical lessons learned and sobering predictions of the challenges ahead." -LTC (ret.) Bryan Price, founding executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, Seton Hall University, USA, and former Director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, USA " ... fills a critical gap in the terrorism literature ... Put simply, a must read for scholars, academics, and policy practitioners alike." -Colin P. Clarke, Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center, USA This book explores one of the most topical and controversial issues of recent years -jihadist terrorist infiltration of irregular migrant flows to Europe. Utilizing robust sampling criteria, more than a hundred such cases are identified and rigorously assessed. The analysis reveals the characteristics of offenders, their travel patterns and operational activities, and critically evaluates subsequent law enforcement and judicial responses. The author draws upon interviews with a range of European security officials, as well as non-governmental organization employees, and a recent refugee, in order to provide a series of practical recommendations. Sam Mullins is Professor of Counter-Terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany, and Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Wollongong, Australia.-- Provided by publisher "A remarkable study - timely, competent, and well-written... a must-read for counter-terrorist professionals as well as public opinion leaders." -Alex P. Schmid, Editor-in-Chief of 'Perspectives on Terrorism' and former Officer-in-Charge of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of UNODC, Austria "...the most in-depth exploration of [this topic] in recent years... provides an impressive and highly useful analysis for researchers and policy makers alike." -Daniel Köhler, Director, German Institute on Radicalization and De-Radicalization Studies (GIRDS), Germany "...a must-read analysis... provides counterterrorism practitioners and policymakers with critical lessons learned and sobering predictions of the challenges ahead." -LTC (ret.) Bryan Price, founding executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, Seton Hall University, USA, and former Director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, USA "...fills a critical gap in the terrorism literature... Put simply, a must read for scholars, academics, and policy practitioners alike." -Colin P. Clarke, Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center, USA This book explores one of the most topical and controversial issues of recent years -jihadist terrorist infiltration of irregular migrant flows to Europe. Utilizing robust sampling criteria, more than a hundred such cases are identified and rigorously assessed. The analysis reveals the characteristics of offenders, their travel patterns and operational activities, and critically evaluates subsequent law enforcement and judicial responses. The author draws upon interviews with a range of European security officials, as well as non-governmental organization employees, and a recent refugee, in order to provide a series of practical recommendations. Sam Mullins is Professor of Counter-Terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany, and Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Wollongong, Australia Acknowledgements Disclaimer Contents List of Figures Chapter 1 Introduction Abstract Terminology Methodology Bibliography Chapter 2 Jihadist Infiltration of Europe Since 2011: An Overview Abstract Scale of the Problem Individual Classifications Confidence Ratings Status in the Asylum System Geographic Distribution Nationality of Terrorist Offenders Demographic and Personal Characteristics Bibliography Chapter 3 Travel Abstract Migration Routes Timing Methods Exfiltration Bibliography Chapter 4 Operational Activity and Connections Abstract Offender Typology Connections to FTOs Plots and Attacks “Non-violent” Support Activities Connections to Crime Bibliography Chapter 5 Investigations and Prosecutions Abstract Point of Detection Sources of Investigation Judicial Outcomes Bibliography Chapter 6 Counter-Terrorism Abstract Key Developments in CT Challenges Recommendations Concluding Remarks Bibliography Appendix A: List of Cases Included in the Analysis Appendix B: List of Notable Cases Excluded from the Analysis Index "This book explores one of the most topical and controversial issues of recent years -jihadist terrorist infiltration of irregular migrant flows to Europe. Utilizing robust sampling criteria, more than a hundred such cases are identified and rigorously assessed. The analysis reveals the characteristics of offenders, their travel patterns and operational activities, and critically evaluates subsequent law enforcement and judicial responses. The author draws upon interviews with a range of European security officials, as well as non-governmental organization employees, and a recent refugee, in order to provide a series of practical recommendations"--Publisher description