Studies in radicalisation, extremism and terrorism generally focus on the most visible and dangerous groups or attacks, frequently leaving smaller cases overlooked. This article looks at the case of one country that has no publicly known terrorist group and has not experienced a single terrorist attack (Slovenia) and shows that this "non-case" is actually an example of a very broad spectrum of basic and supportive forms of Islamist extremism. The article identifies and studies instances of the transit of foreign Islamists, their finances and arms, provides examples of local foreign fighters and their return, identifies NGOs with radical agendas and attempts at recruitment, as well as threats made to local authorities, training under the cover of a social event, the deportation of extremists, and a foiled terrorist attack. Most of these indicators are linked to Jihadi and Islamist sources of power based in Bosnia. Overlooking and underestimating cases like Slovenia could have serious consequences in terms of prevention and preparedness
COBISS.SI-ID: 21541123
International research shows that youth is one of the groups that are the most vulnerable and most susceptible to radicalization. Some of the research findings show school workers' of academic knowledge and practical experience with radicalized youth. As a result, they correlate general criminality with radicalization. The purpose of this study was to identify school workers' readiness for detecting radicalization and taking preventive measures before the youth step on the path of radicalization. The authors applied a qualitative approach and conducted interviews and focus groups with 23 experts from the Slovenian educational system (i.e. top-down from the ministerial level and bottom-up from the primary and secondary school level). The results revealed that school workers can recognize vulnerable youth and are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and experience in terms of how to respond to different types of violence, but not radicalization. Even the elements that could be recognized as first steps in the radicalization process are reduced to deviant behaviour or simply peer violence. Bearing in mind this critical finding, school workers nevertheless are able to recognize certain types of deviant behaviour and know how to address them. By recognizing the problem and taking appropriate action, school workers can actually (unintentionally) prevent the continuation of the radicalization process.
COBISS.SI-ID: 37964291
Radicalization leading to violence is becoming an ever bigger problem in Europe. Slovenia has certainly not been immune to this phenomenon. The authors of this book argue that radicalization and extremism must be systematically monitored and that we need to create a comprehensive social network structure that brings together several key state and non-state institutions for the purpose of reducing the causes of radicalization, identifying radical behaviour and deradicalizing. Certain Slovenian strategic documents have already identified radicalization leading to violence, violent extremism, and terrorism as key security threats and this book may be seen as a step towards possible approaches in this area. The book builds on the thesis that radicalization leading to violence is a complex social phenomenon that can only be handled with a broad-based and socially-inclusive approach. In contrast, any narrow or field-specific policies will only bring partial or even undesirable results. In the book, we first establish a conceptual and terminological framework for studying and monitoring radicalization and the measures against it. Terminological clarity must be ensured in Slovenia before the official concept and policy of monitoring radicalization and de-radicalization is created. This especially refers to understanding of terms like radicalization, violent extremism, terrorism, polarization, deradicalization, etc. We continue by reviewing models of foreign approaches to identifying and monitoring radicalization leading to violence (cases of the UK, Austria and Finland). In addition to case studies based on official documents, we present the results of a comparative-synthetic overview of the similarities/differences among these countries and good practices that could be introduced in Slovenia. In the chapter that follows, we present a wide range of state and non-state institutions that (may) deal with the monitoring of radicalization and countermeasures in the Republic of Slovenia. In this context, the results of interviews and focus group workshops with representatives of the education system, the social security system, the healthcare system, security organizations, the prison administration system, the asylum system, religious communities and the sports system (in relation to supporter groups) are presented. Each of these institutions is examined according to variables like radicalization detection, procedures envisaged in the event of detecting radicalization, the legal basis for radicalization-related actions, the responsible entity for radicalization, training, financing, cooperation with other stakeholders and the expected role in the Slovenian model for monitoring radicalization. The next chapter presents survey results concerning susceptibility to radicalization for a sample of students from the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor conducted in 2019. The survey is important because it reflects the perceptions of young people as one of the groups most vulnerable to radicalization. At the book’s end, we set out our proposal for a comprehensive RAN model in Slovenia or a comprehensive inter-institutional model for identifying and monitoring radicalization in Slovenia. We analyse past discussions on strengthening the RAN network, present the amended P-W-D (Prevent-Warn-Deter) model launched by Slovenia in the Western Balkans, and finally outline a proposal for a new RAN model in Slovenia. The model defines the general principles, participating institutions, and structure on the strategic and operational levels. We also provide recommendations on measures in the areas of detecting radicalization by the actors involved, determining procedures when radicalization is detected, the legal foundations for identifying and monitoring radicalization, the competencies of entities responsible for monitoring radicalization, training in monitoring radicalization, the funding of actions in the field of monitoring radicaliz
COBISS.SI-ID: 39968003
The purpose of the paper is to conceptually identify early warning indicators of radicalization and to establish an indicator-based model for identifying and monitoring the process of radicalization. Methods: We first conducted a thorough review of the literature, then we conducted focus groups on a sample of different stakeholders, and identified, through content analysis, common behavioral indicators that can be used in the model of early detection of radicalization. By using various Word Cloud web tools, we also graphically illustrated the indicators according to their frequency. Findings: A RadCePro indicator-based model incorporates the following behavioural indicators of radicalization: verbal or physical violent behaviour, threats of violent behaviour; justification of violent behaviour; absolute rejection of others (by religion, political affiliation) and different ones (race, gender); a sudden change in behaviour - the rejection of food, the rejection of healing, the rejection of something that was characteristic of the person and usual in the past; voluntary or involuntary social marginalization; a sense of loneliness, worthlessness, a lack of belonging to the community, and breaking social contacts with family and friends; non-acceptance of rules, enforcement of criminal acts; expressed narcissism and susceptibility to conspiracy theories; denial of authority, rules, procedures; excessive religious zeal, dissatisfaction with ordinary religious practices, rejection of religious authority; common alcohol and drug abuse; searching for sources of extreme ideologies and ideas, tattoos and jewellery with radical content and symbols, gesturing extremist signs, communicating affiliation with an extremist group through dress or otherwise (music, literature). Originality/Value The model produced is the first comprehensive model of indicators of radicalization leading to violent behaviour in Slovenia and can be of help to different stakeholders in responding to the phenomenon of radicalization.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17215235
Purpose: Islamic radicalization has became a serious social problem that can culminate into Islamic extremism and terrorism. The purpose of the article is to identify the key indicators of Islamic radicalization based upon theory and interviews with representatives of Islamic community. Design/Methods/Approach: We used the following methods: case studies, statistical analysis and interviews. Findings: Current cases of Islamic radicalization in Slovenia show lower intensity, comparing with other countries, but their presence is already sufficient to allow the specification of a broad range of indicators. Interviews with representatives of Islamic community confirmed risks of such radicalization and students’ views also reflect the dangers of Islamic radicalization. Research Limitations/Implications: Definition and explanation of indicators of Islamic radicalization are relevant for formation of Slovenian early detection and monitoring system. Results can be useful also for other countries. Practical Implications: Overview of indicators will allow practitioners from different fields to focus their efforts on behavior, which is risky and representative of Islamic radicalization towards violence. Originality/Value: Article uniquely combines theory of vulnerability of religious groups with models of Islamic radicalization and interviews in the local community. Results importantly contribute to the current knowledge on the issue of radicalization and related indicators.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17251331