Centro de Documentação da PJ
Analítico de Periódico
CD 368
Navigating the symbiosis between organised crime and terrorism [Recurso eletrónico] : assessing the impact of foreign terrorist fighters on criminal networks / Murat Tinas
European Law Enforcement Research Bulletin, Luxembourg, Special conference (Edition n. 7, 2026), p. 169-181
Edição especial da conferência n.º 7 da “CEPOL R&S Conference 2024/2025”, subordinada ao tema “Tackling the World of High-Risk Criminal Networks (HRCN)", que teve lugar em Ostia (Roma), nos dias 25 a 27 de março de 2025.
CRIME ORGANIZADO, CRIME TRANSNACIONAL, TERRORISMO, REDE CRIMINOSA, TÁCTICA TERRORISTA
The modern global security landscape is increasingly challenged by organised crime, fuelled by economic globalisation and technological advancements that expand criminal networks and their illicit activities. European Union strategies emphasise disrupting high-risk criminal networks, acknowledging their impact on socioeconomic systems, legal economies and the rule of law. This paper highlights the growing threat of such networks in Europe, exacerbated by the involvement of foreign terrorist fighters and returnees over the past decade. The intersection of organised crime and terrorism has gained attention in academic and law enforcement circles. Moving beyond traditional views that treat them separately, recent studies explore their interconnectedness, focusing on conditions that foster cooperation and motivations for terrorist engagement in criminal activities. The Syrian conflict has amplified these dynamics, with foreign terrorist fighters intensifying illicit financial flows and collaborating with transnational criminal groups. Shared financial channels further blur distinctions between terrorism and organised crime, implicating fighters in diverse illicit activities. Using a desk-based approach, this research analyses literature and open-source data to trace the evolution of this nexus, examine the hybrid nature of these activities and assess the risks posed by foreign terrorist fighters. The findings reveal a dynamic relationship with global impacts, posing significant security threats and driving political, economic and social instability.
