The Home-Officing Jihad
Austrian security officials arrested a group of radical Islamists for suspected terrorist activity yesterday in Vienna. These terrorist suspects went high-tech, as their contributions to global jihad appear limited to the Internet:
According to information obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE, one of those arrested is the presumed head of the German-language Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF), founded in fall 2005. Its model was the international GIMF, which came into being sometime around 2002 -- originally only in Arabic -- in order to redistribute al-Qaida material on the Internet. ...Austrian authorities revealed on Thursday their belief that the suspects arrested were in direct contact with al-Qaida over the Internet. According to Erik Buxbaum, Austria's general manager for public security, Austrian terror specialists followed events 'live' while the groups communicated. E-mail traffic was observed, and the group of young Muslims was kept under observation as part of a "large bugging operation" code-named "Target."
According to information obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE, contact between the group and al-Qaida was most likely made in jihadist Internet forums.
German terror investigators had been keeping a close eye on the German-language GIMF Web site, which appeared in fall 2005. "You can follow radicalization in real-time here," said a concerned official a few months ago, referring to the Web site. There was serious discussion on the GIMF discussion forum about issues such as whether Muslims who have strayed from their faith must be killed, and photographs of the corpses of US soldiers were shown.
The suspects have reportedly confessed to distributing al-Qaeda propaganda, but that may not be the extent of their terrorist connections. Counterterrorism agents believe that the GIMF may have connections to the Army of Islam, the same Palestinian group that kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnson. If so, it shows that AQ may have operational connections to Palestinian terrorists.
Security officials do not believe that this cell would ever have conducted an attack. Their value came from their ability to recruit new terrorists through their jihadist forums. They ran two separate websites for that purpose, and authorities claim that they were the most effective group yet seen at doing so. However, the head of the ring is suspected of attempting to acquire explosive materials for others.
The production of one particular piece of propaganda worried Austrian officials, but also put them on the right path to discover the cell. In March, Austria obtained an emergency warrant after the group published a video threatening attacks if Germany did not withdraw from the NATO coalition in Afghanistan. However, the speaker also complained about increased student fees in Vienna, making it easier for security forces to narrow down their search.
It may not be as significant as catching cells that conduct attacks, but getting the recruiters helps contain the spread of extremists. It could yield intelligence of even better quality, as terrorist communications was their main function.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on September 13, 2007 2:42 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)
Comments (12)
Posted by starfleet_dude | September 13, 2007 4:05 PM
While I'm sure more details will be forthcoming, there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence on the surface here that those arrested are guilty of anything more than the equivalent of jihadist trash talk. I don't doubt that this sort of thing may be actionable given Austria and Germany's Nazi past when it comes to distributing al-Qaeda propaganda, but a real terrorist cell wouldn't go out of its way to draw attention to itself by talking trash on the internet. Still, we'll see what charges are brought and what evidence is presented in support.
Posted by hunter | September 13, 2007 5:35 PM
When we get tot he point of executing these terrorists and finding the religious buttons to turn off their bogus rationalizations for mass murder, we will really start winding this up.
Posted by skeptical | September 13, 2007 8:01 PM
If they really wanted to bring us to our knees, they'd hack the international banking system(s). Unfortunately, as you point out, Ed, it's desktop stuff to set up a web page--my daughter can.
Connections doesn't mean operational connections, but as we've learned, the most susceptible to murderous jihadist call are the best educated among them. Maybe executing them will work, but Israel has been picking off the leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Martyr's Brigade (I think they got some of them), etc., etc., for thirty years, and the wall has done more for their security.
Too bad we don't recruit (among others) Arabic speakers, as there are loads of them here who are loyal, patriotic, and formerly Republican (until Ashcroft started picking them up indiscriminately).
Posted by NahnCee | September 13, 2007 11:38 PM
It's interesting contemplating the mental gyrations the Germans (and other Yurpizoids) must have to go through to be able to simultaeously believe that Bush and/or the American government brought down the Twin Towers, while they're also tracking down and scooping up their own homegrown terrorists. Yurp has been anti-American for so long that I fear they've managed to mentally tattoo that emotion into their psyche.
Must make it hard when they're trying to defend themselves: is the Real Enemy the Evil Satan America that has never done anything to them except save them from themselves and then help them to rebuild; or a bunch of 17th century barbarians waving swords around that they're not afraid to use on those such as a typical European multiculti infidel.
Posted by Takekaze | September 14, 2007 1:50 AM
I'd just like to add: supporting a terrorist organization can get you up to ten years in prison in Austria. If these guys are really connected, they're going to face the music.
Meanwhile, a 4th member of this small group has been arrested in Canada.
Sure, it may not look like much, but these guys were, at least, sympathizing with Osama. Best to take them out while they're still a small group, before they can get too much support and cause some real problems.
Posted by psbbles | September 14, 2007 5:54 AM
Nahnee,
I don't think you understand other countries
view.
On 9/11 you had the world's support.We(u.k) do not hate American's it's your foreign policy.
I don't now how you define 'anti-american'.Does it work both ways? The U.S is anti-france/germany/russia/syria/u.n..........
Your country has achieved great things but you do deserve critism.
We are well aware of the threat of islamofascists we just disagree on what should be done.
Posted by always right | September 14, 2007 9:24 AM
BS for "We(u.k) do not hate American's it's your foreign policy." It must have FELT good to be so high-minded, while offering nothing.
How is "U.S (is) anti-france/germany/russia/syria/u.n......."?
Because our government didn't give in to everything others dictate/demand to us? Is Americans separated from the government (U.S) in the sentiment then?
How is "We are well aware of the threat...what should be done."
From where I sit, what had been done here is pretty good. From what I read, the europeans did to their own was much worst (no legal protection to speak of). As long as everything is hushed up, minimum fuss, with the cooperation of your own media. Nothing's reported, out of its own people's mind.
Posted by DirtCrashr | September 14, 2007 11:31 AM
It's too bad the New York Times didn't know about the Austrian Government's bugging operation so they could expose it...
Posted by pebbles | September 14, 2007 11:59 AM
Ar you saying the u.k has 'offered nothing' to the situation.
Our soldiers are dying over there as well.I hope i have interpreted wrong.
Would you define 'anti-american' It seems to be a cop out when we disagree.
I think calling for a boycott of france and french fries (by the way french comes from the word frenched-a way to cut a potato.It's nothing to do with france.
It's like me saying i disagree with the country turkey,so i am going to stop eating turkey.
'with us or against us' reflected the disdain to countries that disagree.
If you stood up to dictator's,other countries stood up to the U.S.
I have know idea what your going on about in your last paragraph.
If you are saying we are all brainwashed and unaware then that's hilarious coming from an american
Posted by always right | September 14, 2007 2:30 PM
Listen to your own talk, our u.k friend.
It is not disdain to say "Either you are (in this fight) with us or against us". In this, there is no other shades of gray. In this fight, nobody can pull another swiss.
What does equating dictators to the U.S. have anything to do with the argument? Since the "act of stood-up" is the same, there is no difference of US stood up to dictators vs. other countries act against us? This is the postmodernism crazytalk.
Since my last point is lost on you, you disclaimed it on the point of me being an American? Of course we americans are all red necked buffoons who would believe anything that was fed by our government.
Posted by always right | September 14, 2007 2:56 PM
pebbles,
We do heartily thank you and appreciate the u.k's effort on her sacrifice, we mourn the lost of her soldiers just as keenly. The friendship extended (in need) won’t be forgotten by us, as you are one of the staunch allies we have.
Unlike the fwench, now so afraid to lose out joining the winning side, that kind of friendship is accepted but duly noted.
I have not seen a valid example of U.S anti-france/germany/russian/Syria/u.n….so I’ll refrain from commenting.
Posted by pebbles | September 15, 2007 12:58 PM
always right,
I am unsure what 'anti-american' means.Your president has called a whole section of the world evil.
'WITH US OR AGAINST US'
This was quite insulting,just because we disagree with methods used,does not mean we support the terrorists.
One of the things that pisses off people here,is the funding and support given by some americans
towards the I.R.A.
Even to this day the U.S has refused to extridite wanted I.R.A terrorist because 'they wouldn't get a fair trial'.
Although a minority your citizens were having drinks called 'kill a brit' and 'car bomb'
Ironically the i.r.a invented the road side bomb which is causing awful deaths and injuries.
As with america we have every right to disagree