Some European Countries Hamper the Legislation of the Incrimination of Ransoms Payment, EU Official

Counter-Terrorism Coordinator at the European Union, Manuel Lopez Blanco, admits that the existence of a crystal clear judicial frame that incriminates the payment of ransoms to terror groups is being hampered by certain countries.

The war on terror in the Sahel region still lacks a judicial apparatus that incriminates the payment of ransoms, given that the latter is the major financing source for terror groups. In this regard, Mr Blanco says: “The nonpayment of ransoms to terrorists against the release of hostages is a matter of discussion within the EU; all the countries are agreed on it. Yet the EU countries are still not unanimous over the fact to setting up a judicial frame that incriminates it, mostly as it subjects such an act to prosecution.”

He added that “I think many countries are still reluctant in terms of adhering to this process, for many reasons, including the fact that their nationals are the most targeted by kidnappings, as they are massively present in the region for economic and humanitarian reasons.”

The EU official said: “I think that we have a long way to go before reaching such a frame, and we are working on it.”

As for the close relation between terror groups in the Sahel and organized crime gangs having feet in Europe, Mr Blanco indicated that “the EU counterterrorism strategy in the Sahel is multifaceted; it fights also the money laundering and narcotics trafficking, in addition to the tracking down of money transfers and unnamed investments. There are specific and key techniques to share information with partners in the region.”

The counterterrorism expert further specified that the EU has been allocating 150 million Euros between 2007 and 2010 to sponsor development project in 6 Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, eastern Chad and northern Nigeria),” adding: “Today, we are ready to allot anew the same budget.”