(New York, N.Y. / Berlin, Germany) – Existing studies on the extremism/terrorism-crime nexus in recent years have focused on Islamist extremism and terrorism, while the transnational nexus between right-wing extremism/terrorism and organized crime groups remains under-researched. This gap in knowledge can lead to a misunderstanding of the strategies of right-wing extremists as well as of the risks those actors pose to potential victims and society as a whole.
A new CEP study, commissioned by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, shows that several violence-oriented right-wing extremist individuals and groups in Europe and the U.S. engage in or maintain ties with organized crime. Many of the identified cases have a transnational dimension, be it through cross-border activities like the acquisition of illegal drugs for distribution or through supposedly legal activities such as co-organizing hate music concerts, including events with a transnational character. As the study demonstrates, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, VRWE-affiliated football hooligan groups, prison gangs, and a range of VRWE individuals and groups are part of transnational networks. Such connections are particularly visible in Austria, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the U.S.
The study aims at informing policymakers working on the prevention and countering of violent extremism or terrorism and organized crime with the goal of fostering a better understanding of the phenomena and to encourage further cooperation between relevant government agencies and civil society organizations.
The webinar will be conducted in English via Zoom.
Date: March 29, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET / 15:30 CET to 11:00 am ET / 17:00 CET
EVENT PROGRAM:
Introductory Remarks:
Ms. Gabriele Scheel
Head of Division “International Cooperation against Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Corruption,” Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Presentations:
Mr. Alexander Ritzmann: Lead author of the study and of the Germany chapter
Senior Advisor, Counter Extremism Project (CEP)
Przemysław Witkowski, PhD: Author of the Poland chapter
Senior Research Director, Institute of Social Safety (IBS)
Dr. Daniela Pisoiu: Author of the Austria chapter
Senior Researcher, Austrian Institute for International Affairs
Moderator:
Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler
Senior Director, Counter Extremism Project (CEP)
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A-session open to all participants.
REGISTRATION:
To participate in this webinar please register via this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KS_YxoysRgSIPpS4g_XT8A
Please register up to one hour before the webinar start so that your registration can be approved in time.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to colleagues with an interest in the subject.