Highlights
– German court convicts three men on terrorism charges
– Group attempted to acquire fraudulent life insurance policies
– Osama Bin Laden speaks to Europe
– Germany remains key target for al-Qaeda operations
On December 5, 2007, a German court handed down guilty verdicts to three Middle Eastern men. Arrested in 2005, the individuals, two brothers believed to be of Palestinian origin, and a Syrian, were charged and convicted of supporting al-Qaeda plots to carry out an undetermined number of suicide attacks, membership in a terrorist organization, and fraud . The fraud charges stem from what prosecutors presented as a sophisticated scheme to raise money for al-Qaeda through fraudulent life insurance policies.
Europe has become a strategic locale for al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-inspired terrorism. Recently, on December 1, 2007, Osama bin Laden released a tape directed at Europeans encouraging them to end their military participation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As we previously reported, Germany, among neighboring European countries, is viewed as a key target for Islamist extremist terror attacks. Germany’s perceived, “pro-US” political and military stance likely contributes to its targeted status among al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist groups.
Further, we believe as Germany takes an increasingly active role in international conflicts, akin to its status as the lead country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Afghanistan, German assets both at home and abroad will likely continue to come under attack or be targeted by terrorist groups.
Terrorists Convicted
On December 5, 2007, a German court handed down guilty verdicts to three individuals convicted of supporting al-Qaeda. Ibrahim Mohamed Khalil and Yasser Abu Shaweesh were found guilty of belonging to a known terrorist organization, and found guilty of multiple counts of fraud. Additionally, a third individual, Ismail Abu Shaweesh, younger brother to Yasser Abu Shaweesh, was convicted on lesser charges of supporting a terrorist group.
According to authorities, between 2001 and 2002, Khalil trained in an al-Qaeda-run camp before fighting US forces in Afghanistan. Prosecutors believe Khalil maintained close contact with Osama bin Laden and was specifically instructed to bolster al-Qaeda’s presence in Germany.
Among the terror charges, the three were also convicted of fraud for what prosecutors presented as a lucrative scheme involving fraudulent life insurance policies. Specifically, Yasser Abu Shaweesh, with his brother a beneficiary, planned to acquire upwards of nine separate life insurance policies worth approximately US 6.3 million dollars.
Prosecutors insisted jail sentences of between five and nine years based on the individuals’ connections to top al-Qaeda leadership. However, Khalil received seven years, Yasser Abu Shaweesh received six years, and Ismail Abu Shaweesh received three years.
Al-Qaeda Speaks to Europe
Europe is rapidly becoming an up-and-coming frontier for al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-inspired terrorism. In 2004, top al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden offered Europeans a truce if they ceased attacking Muslims, then later spoke of a truce with the US. In both cases, al-Qaeda then denounced those areas for not accepting its offer.
Recently, on December 1, 2007, bin Laden released a tape specifically directed at Europeans. In the tape, bin Laden encouraged Europeans to end their military participation in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bin Laden asserts European nations joined the US invasion of Afghanistan, “because they had no other alternative, only to be a follower.” He further claims, “The American Tide is ebbing, with God’s help, and they will go back to their countries,” (referring to European nations).
As we previously reported, Germany, among other neighboring European nations, has become a key target for Islamist extremist terror attacks. Germany’s ongoing support to US political and military efforts likely will contribute to its potential targeting among al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist groups, and will continue to be used as propaganda to entice terrorist operatives to take action.
