Eye on Extremism - January 5, 2021

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Eye on Extremism - January 5, 2021
By: Counter Extremism Project - 01-05-21
Re: info@counterextremism.com

As of January 5, 2021:

Agence France-Presse: Belgian Judges To Decide On Trial For Attack Suspects

“Belgian judges will decide on Tuesday whether to send a dozen suspected jihadist extremists to trial for their alleged roles in the March 2016 Brussels bombings. Several of the 13 defendants in the Belgian case are also alleged members of the Islamic State cell that carried out the November 2015 attacks in France and left 130 dead. The best known is 31-year-old Salah Abdeslam, said to be the only surviving member of the group behind the shootings and bombings outside a stadium and in the Bataclan music venue in Paris. The later bombings of the Brussels airport and a city centre metro station were themselves the worst attacks in Belgium since World War II, killing 32 and wounding 340. The trial will be a huge undertaking, with the former headquarters of the NATO military alliance refurbished as a high-security courthouse on the outskirts of Brussels. A panel of judges will meet in closed session Tuesday before deciding whether to follow the advice of federal anti-terrorism prosecutors and ordering a criminal trial. But the Belgian trial is not expected before the second half of 2022, after a French court deals with the Paris attacks case in a trial between September and the end of March 2022.”

NBC News: Suspect In Queens Hoax Bomb Already Under NYPD Investigation For Far-Right Stunts

“A man suspected of placing a hoax bomb that evacuated a mall in Queens, New York, on Monday morning is a right-wing conspiracy theorist who was arrested and accused of arson last week and has been under investigation by police for at least a week. Law enforcement officials said they are looking for the man, Louis Shenker, 22, after New York City firefighters discovered a stolen car with wire, cans and electrical wiring in the form of a hoax bomb device on top of the car's trunk. No explosives were found in the vehicle — a Tesla with Nevada plates parked on a spiral ramp between parking garage levels at the Queens Place mall — but police rescued a husky dog from inside it. The car had pro-Black Lives Matter movement signage, raising questions of whether the signs were intended to discredit the movement, three senior law enforcement officials said. Law enforcement officials say that police were already investigating Shenker and that they have arrested him twice in connection with other disruptive stunts. On Wednesday, he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and two counts of low-level arson, accused of burning a poster affixed to a New York Police Department barricade, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office.”

United States

USA Today: Nation's Capital Braces For Violence As Extremist Groups Converge To Protest Donald Trump's Election Loss

“Protests planned for Washington, D.C., this week are likely to attract large numbers of President Donald Trump's supporters, including conspiracy theorists, militia groups and members of the extremist group the Proud Boys, raising concerns of violent confrontations. The rallies are planned to coincide with the official congressional vote to certify the Electoral College votes from the November presidential election and declare President-elect Joe Biden the winner. Far-right groups from around the country have vowed to descend on the capital to protest the vote and attempt to pressure lawmakers into voting against certifyinig the results, an outcome that even the leaders of the effort admit is extraordinarily unlikely to happen. Trump himself has amplified conspiracy theories about the election and encouraged his supporters to show up at the protests. “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” he tweeted on December 18. On Sunday, the president again promoted the protests, writing on Twitter, “I will be there. Historic day!” In preparation for the protests, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department has stepped up precautions, including erecting signs stating that open carry of guns is illegal in the capital.”

New York Post: Judge Upholds Conviction For Subway Bomber Akayed Ullah

“A federal judge upheld a Manhattan jury’s conviction of a Bangladeshi immigrant for blowing up a pipe bomb in a crowded subway tunnel in Times Square, according to a decision released Monday. Lawyers for Akayed Ullah, 30, had challenged the 2018 guilty verdict on several grounds — including claiming that their client had not acted on behalf of ISIS when he detonated the crude explosive that injured only himself. But Circuit Judge Richard Sullivan, who presided over the Manhattan federal trial before he was promoted to the appeals court, knocked down the assertion. “The record evidence…amply establishes that Defendant acted at ISIS’s direction by heeding the call of the organization’s propaganda and recruiting materials,” Sullivan wrote of the bungled Dec. 11, 2017, terrorist attack in a pedestrian tunnel during the morning rush hour. “Perhaps most importantly, Defendant told police that he carried out the attack ‘for the Islamic State.'“ The decision notes that authorities recovered several ISIS propaganda videos from Ullah’s computer. During the one-week trial, Ullah’s lawyers admitted that he had detonated the home-made device, which was strapped to his body, but argued it was to kill himself — not commuters.”

Afghanistan

Voice Of America: US Blames Taliban For Plotting Afghan Assassinations

“The United States has directly accused the Taliban of being behind a recent wave of high-profile assassinations in Afghanistan, urging the insurgent group to stop the violence “for peace to succeed.” Monday’s charges came hours after the Taliban accused U.S. forces of launching airstrikes against insurgent-held areas in violation of their 2020 bilateral agreement aimed at ending the long-running Afghan war. The controversy erupts as insurgent leaders and representatives of the U.S.-backed Afghan government are due to reconvene in Qatar Tuesday for a next round of peace negotiations. A spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan rejected as “false” allegations they violated the agreement with the Taliban. Col. Sonny Leggett stressed in a statement Monday the U.S. military has been “clear and consistent” in its resolve to defend Afghan security forces against Taliban attacks. “We renew our call for all sides to reduce violence,” Leggett said on Twitter. “The Taliban's campaign of unclaimed attacks & targeted killings of government officials, civil society leaders & journalists must also cease for peace to succeed.”

Pakistan

Modern Diplomacy: Pakistan’s Bid To Curb Terrorism On Its Soil Bear’s Fruit

“Global Terrorism Index (GTI) was created after an intensive analysis of data and trends across countries about terrorism-related activities. Through this exhausting data, GTI measures the impact of terrorism on the world, which is decreasing across the globe. GTI concluded that there has been a drop in terrorism activities in the last five years, which is a great success for everyone involved. While the overarching findings from the GTI report were positive, it did not present happy tidings across the board. There are serious threats that are growing and need to be controlled by countries still fighting the war against terrorism. It revealed that it is the second year in a row, South Asia was the most impacted region by terrorism in 2019. It recorded more deaths than any other region, despite index improvements in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, said the Global Terrorism Index 2020 report. Afghanistan still tops the ranking despite improvement in its index score. It is followed by Iraq, where incidences increased after the slaying of Qasem Soleimani in a drone attack. The top 10 also has Yemen, Syria, and Pakistan representing Asia.”

Middle East

The Jerusalem Post: UAE Deny Reports Of Foiling Terror Attack In Dubai

“The United Arab Emirates denied having ever foiled an attempted terrorist attack in Dubai, despite multiple media reporters circulating earlier in the day. In an official statement, the UAE government dubbed the rumors “wholly false.” As mentioned in these earlier reports, Emirati intelligence reportedly arrested Iranians who were suspected of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis, as the UAE has become one of Israel's hottest new tourist destinations following the recent normalization of ties between the two countries. Said attack reportedly was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the assassination of IRGC Quds Force head Qassem Soleimani. While this may not have been the case, the IDF and other security officials are on high alert of a potential Iranian reprisal attack to coincide with the anniversary of Soleimani's death, though such an attack has yet to occur.”

Nigeria

Bloomberg: Nigeria Says War-Crimes Probe Hampers Fight Against Insurgents

“Nigeria’s government condemned the International Criminal Court for recommending a full investigation into possible war crimes by the nation’s security forces. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said last month a preliminary probe concluded that there is “a reasonable basis to believe” members of the Boko Haram militant group and security forces from the West African country committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. Judges at the Hague-based tribunal must approve her request in order for it to proceed. The ICC is acting like “another ‘fighting force’ against Nigeria, constantly harassing our security forces and threatening them with investigation and possible prosecution,” Information Minister Lai Mohammed said in a statement emailed Jan. 4. Bensouda’s actions are an “unbridled attempt to demoralize our security men and women as they confront the onslaught from bandits and terrorists,” he said. Boko Haram insurgents have waged a violent campaign in northeastern Nigeria since 2009 to impose the group’s version of Islamic law on Africa’s biggest oil producer, leaving thousands of people dead and millions displaced. The ICC opened its preliminary investigation a decade ago.”

Africa

Associated Press: Mozambique’s Jihadists Force Total To Suspend Gas Project

“Mozambique’s jihadist violence has forced the French energy firm Total to suspend work at its multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas project in the country’s northern Cabo Delgado province. After the rebels’ Jan. 1 attack on Quitunda village, just outside the fence of the gas project, the company removed most of its workforce, estimated at 3,000, from the Afungi peninsula. “In view of the evolving security situation in Cabo Delgado province,” Total “decided to reduce the number of personnel present at the Afungi site,” the company announced in a statement Monday. Total “is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its staff and subcontractors,” its statement said. Work at the site has been suspended, according to the Zitamar news agency. Total has cut back operations to a bare minimum, evacuating staff and contractors by air. The insurgents, allied with the Islamic State group, have carried out a string of attacks since Christmas Eve, driving closer to the Total construction site, which covers 27 square miles. Total paid $3.9 billion in September 2019 for a 26% share of the project which was to begin production in 2024.”

Deutsche Welle: Niger's Constant Struggle Against Violence

“A group of attackers appeared on motorbikes around midday on Saturday. They split into two columns and simultaneously invaded the two Nigerien villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye, leaving behind a blood bath with more than a hundred people dead and dozens wounded. It was the latest in a string of civilian massacres that have rocked southwest Niger's jihadi-plagued Tillaberi region. The attacks were believed to be in retaliation to the earlier killing of two fighters at the hands of villagers, after young people from the area tried to form a self-defense group. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. “I think one of most significant factors is that the person who is thought to be the leader of the group who carried out the killings is said to be from one of local villages”, Paul Melly from Chatham House told DW. “This remind us how far ideological conflict between Jihadists, the Niger government and Nigerien civilians is mixed up with local disputes and tensions and complications.” The government in response announced military reinforcements to permanently deploy a company in the affected province, the commander-in-charge, Mamane Sani, said. Sani had visited one of the two affected villages near the border with Mali together with Prime Minister Birgi Rafini.”

Africanews: Boko Haram Kills Three Vigilantes In Northern Cameroon

“Three members of a self-defense group were shot dead on Monday by suspected members of the Islamist group Boko Haram in the north of Cameroon. Local authorities reported that the casualties were members of the Kaliari Vigilant committee. These self-defense groups are usually composed of civilians and are responsible for providing information or serve as scouts to soldiers. The deaths were confirmed to AFP by a police officer who requested anonymity. He said the victims were 25, 30 and 40 years old. Another source said the fighters came from Nigeria. Boko Haram attacks have killed nearly 2,500 Cameroonians between 2014 and 2017, according to the country’s defense ministry. The UN Refugee Agency estimates approximately 26 million people in the Lake Chad region have been affected by the Boko Haram violence, and more than 2.6 million displaced. The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009 in northeastern Nigeria before spreading to neighboring countries. Since then more than 36,000 people (mostly in Nigeria) have been killed and three million have fled their homes, according to the United Nations.”

United Kingdom

The Sun: World’s Most Dangerous Men And Women Revealed – From Neo-Nazis To Islamic Terrorists

“Topped by the leaders of Islamic terror groups Hezbollah, IS and Hamas, the list also includes four Brits. Some of those listed are now behind bars, others apparently lying dormant after serving sentences. Adel Abdul Bary was once described as al-Qaeda’s spokesman in London. Convicted hate preacher Anjem Choudary also features, as does “White Widow” Samantha Lewthwaite and David Myatt, who founded the Nazi and Satanist occult group Order Of Nine Angles. The Counter Extremism Project is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that advises politicians and lawmakers around the world on the terror threat. Its experts and analysts help combat extremist groups by cutting off their financial support networks, countering their narratives, thwarting online recruitment and advocating for strong laws. Sir Ivor Roberts, former head of counter-terrorism at the Foreign Office and now a senior Counter Extremism Project adviser, said: “These figures potentially represent the greatest threats to the world over the coming years. “In some cases that’s because of the power they wield to spread dangerous, violent ideologies online and through their networks. “In other cases it’s by passing on the knowledge and means to convert that into terror and death on our streets.”

Southeast Asia

Agence France-Presse: Indonesia Set To Free Bali Bombing-Linked Cleric Bashir

“A radical Indonesian cleric linked to the deadly Bali bombings will be released from prison this week, authorities said Monday, after an earlier bid to free him early was axed following a public uproar. Abu Bakar Bashir, 82, once synonymous with militant Islam in the world's biggest Muslim majority nation, will be freed Friday after completing a 15-year prison term for helping fund paramilitary training in conservative Aceh province. He was sentenced in 2011, but the firebrand preacher's time was cut due to regular sentence reductions handed to most prisoners in Indonesia. “He will be released on January 8, 2021, as his prison term expired and ended,” Rika Aprianti, spokesman for Indonesia's corrections agency, said in a statement. Bashir's lawyers had appealed for early release citing his old age and risk of contracting COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian nation's notoriously overcrowded prison system. Bashir, a key figure in militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), was previously jailed over the Bali bombings, but that conviction was quashed on appeal. He has repeatedly denied involvement in the 2002 bombings that killed more than 200 people -- most foreign tourists -- in Indonesia's worst terror attack.”

The Straits Times: New Measures Against Terror Financing, Money Laundering

“Measures to better counter money laundering and terrorism financing were approved yesterday, under changes to the law that regulates virtual payment service providers. These changes will also strengthen laws governing digital payment tokens (DPTs) to ensure that companies issuing such tokens protect the assets of their users, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, who is a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) board member. Parliament passed the Payment Services (Amendment) Bill yesterday, following a roughly two-hour debate that saw 10 MPs taking part. Under the changes, Singapore will implement enhanced standards for virtual asset service providers who deal in DPTs, otherwise known as cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies have been gaining popularity internationally since the introduction of the first one, bitcoin, in 2009. Over the past weekend, it was reported that bitcoin saw its price pass US$30,000 for the first time, based on data compiled by Bloomberg news agency. Previously, MAS regulated cryptocurrency service providers only when they possessed money or the cryptocurrency itself - but this has now been expanded. Under the Bill, MAS has the power to regulate service providers that facilitate the use of cryptocurrencies for payments, and who may not possess the money or cryptocurrencies involved.”