NCJ Number
218868
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 13 Issue: 1-2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 85-108
Date Published
2007
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the threat created by international terrorism from the perspective of the German police.
Abstract
The main argument is that terrorism in Germany must be countered with a holistic approach based on mutual networking with other actors engaged in combating international terrorism, such as the business sector and nonextremist Muslims. This holistic approach also incorporates silencing extremist religious agitation, more fully integrating Muslims into German society through confidence-building measures, and gaining more knowledge about the phenomenon of international terrorism through research conducted by the Terrorism/Extremism Research Unit. The authors explain that the terrorist attacks in Madrid made two deep impressions on those in Germany: (1) it was no longer possible to think of the terrorist attacks of September 11th as an isolated event; and (2) international terrorism had arrived in the heart of Europe. As a result of these realizations, the police forces of the German States had to respond to completely new challenges and had to seek or develop counter-terrorism strategies. The Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) in Germany carries out police duties in response to internationally organized crimes, including the formation of terrorist units in Germany and abroad. The authors differentiate the work of the State criminal police forces and the BKA and outline the general terrorist threat situation facing Germany in terms of terrorism motivation, offender profiles, and organizational structure. The current security risk situation in Germany is examined, which reveals that Germany has served as a safe haven for Islamic terrorists to plan their attacks. In response, the main counter-terrorism objectives of the German Government have focused on: destroying terrorist units, expanding international cooperation, and eliminating the cause of terrorism. References