Investigation Challenges in Counter-Terrorism

Prague, 23 September 2022 – The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), with support from the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the European Union Law Enforcement Agency (Europol) and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) concluded a regional course on “Investigation Challenges in Counter-Terrorism”. The event took place from 19 to 23 September 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic, under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and with support from the Czech Police Education and Training Unit.

UNOCT/UNCCT supported the event with expert presentations and training on both Countering the use of Cryptocurrencies to Finance Terrorism and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Digital Forensics. Additional expertise on cryptocurrencies was also shared by multiple private sector entities, such as Virtual Assets Service Providers.

The event was attended by 30 law enforcement and judicial professionals from the Western Balkan region. It helped raise awareness on efforts to counter and prevent the use of cryptocurrencies to finance terrorism, in a human rights compliant manner, including by offering perspectives on analysis and financial intelligence exchange.

The discussions also enhanced understanding on investigating crimes and terrorism related to cryptocurrencies and UAS, and the role of security and justice agencies in reducing related risks.

The course was part of a wider collaboration between UNOCT and CEPOL in the area of Countering Terrorism, and was organised under the framework of the “Partnership against Crime and Terrorism” project in the Western Balkans (WB PaCT). WB PaCT aims to enhance the capacities of authorities in the Western Balkans to fight organised crime and terrorism, including preventing and countering violent extremism by enhancing cooperation within the region and with the EU.

Background

The latest review resolution of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS), adopted by the General Assembly on 30 June 2021 expressed concern over the potential use of new and emerging technologies, including virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies for terrorist purposes. The resolution therefore called upon all Member States to consider additional measures to counter the use of such technologies for terrorist purposes while strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism.

The UNOCT/UNCCT Global Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies and the Global Programme on Detecting, Preventing and Countering the Financing of Terrorism include cryptocurrencies and their management as a key priority. Both programmes are part of the Countering Terrorism Section in UNOCT/UNCCT, based on the priorities set forth by Pillar II of the GCTS.

The United Nations Security Council strongly condemns the continued flow of weapons, including UASs and their components to and between Da’esh, Al-Qaida, their affiliates, and associated groups, illegal armed groups and criminals. The resolution also encourages Member States to prevent and disrupt procurement networks for such weapons, systems and components.

This framework is further supported by the GCTS, in both strongly condemning the continued terrorist flow of UAS and expressing concern over the weaponization of commercial drones. The work with UAS Digital Forensics is convened under the Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems (AROS).

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