The fight against terrorism/ DASH: Organizations are trying to radicalize young Albanians

2023-12-01 14:19:00, Aktualitet CNA

The fight against terrorism/ DASH: Organizations are trying to radicalize young

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The US Department of State has published the report on Albania regarding the efforts to fight against Corruption and Terrorism.

According to DASH, Albania has repatriated 13 of its citizens from the al-Hol displaced persons camp in Syria and is engaging in the process of their reintegration and rehabilitation throughout the year.

The report notes that the country has adopted a national strategy against terrorism and violent extremism (CVE) until 2025 and is revising the CVE strategy.

DASH underlines that terrorist organizations are trying to radicalize young Albanians.

"Albania continued its strong support for international counter-terrorism efforts in 2022, repatriating 13 of its nationals from the al-Hol displaced persons camp in Syria and engaging in their reintegration and rehabilitation throughout the year. The country has adopted a national strategy against terrorism and violent extremism (CVE) until 2025 and is revising the CVE strategy. The threat of terrorism in Albania consists in the efforts of foreign terrorist organizations to radicalize young Albanians," says the DASH report.

The fight against terrorism/ DASH: Organizations are trying to radicalize young

However, no terrorist incidents were reported in Albania during 2022, the report states.

The Special Prosecutor's Office has charged two people with incitement and propaganda in favor of the terrorist organization ISIS, based on the investigations carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the State Police. In December, the Special Court for Organized Crime and Corruption sentenced an Iranian national to 15 years in prison for preparing terrorist acts.

The fight against terrorism/ DASH: Organizations are trying to radicalize young

"There were no reported terrorist incidents in Albania in 2022. Legislation, Law Enforcement and Border Security: It is illegal in Albania to join a terrorist organization, provide and participate in terrorism-related training, provide support material (including funding) to a terrorist organization and to participate in a foreign military.

The State Police Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) has worked closely with US agencies to align the Albanian government's CT efforts with US expertise and resources, ensuring that the Albanian government develops focused CT capabilities. The State Police Counterterrorism Unit received extensive training and equipment throughout the year from the State Department's Counterterrorism Assistance program.

The Special Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption has charged two people with incitement and propaganda in favor of the terrorist organization ISIS, based on investigations conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the State Police. In December, the Special Court for Organized Crime and Corruption sentenced an Iranian national to 15 years in prison for preparing terrorist acts.

On May 28, Albania successfully repatriated 13 citizens from displaced camps in Syria. The Albanian government's CVE Center directed the rehabilitation and reintegration of these individuals and coordinated the efforts of various ministries, international donors, members of civil society and non-governmental organizations to support these efforts. This was the second repatriation in a one-year period carried out by the Albanian authorities, for 38 repatriated women and children", explains the DASH report.

It further underscores that corruption and barriers to information sharing between government agencies, insufficient coordination within agencies, and a weak judicial system continued to hamper Albania's law enforcement efforts at all levels, including those related to the fight against terrorism.

“But corruption and obstacles to information sharing between government agencies, insufficient coordination within agencies, and a weak judicial system continued to hamper Albania's law enforcement efforts at all levels, including those related to the fight against terrorism. The implementation of deep reforms in the justice sector continued. Verification of Albania's 800 judges and prosecutors for corruption, competence and links to organized crime was 75% completed at the end of the year.

Albania has pledged to increase its border security and control efforts to stop terrorists, with the support of US experts and programs. Albanian law enforcement services cooperate extensively with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement bodies. Albania continues to work on the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2396 regarding Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Names data and established a Passenger Information Unit with the support of the United States. Albania supports a port security surveillance system to implement the requirements under the International Ship and Port Security Code of the International Maritime Organization", states the DASH report, among other things./ CNA