Social networks, closed groups on applications such as Telegram and the spread of hate speech are the new weapons of radical Islamists, which the National Security Agency (ANB) identifies as the biggest threat from religiously motivated terrorism in Montenegro, with their focus on self-radicalized individuals - people who, without direct contact with extremist groups, develop dangerous intentions through virtual space and can carry out difficult-to-predict attacks without special preparation and logistics.
"Online radicalization has taken over," warned the ANB, responding to questions from "Vijesti" about the security situation in Montenegro, in the context of the threat from terrorism and Islamic extremists.
The ANB believes that virtual space has become a new hotbed of extremism, where propaganda spreads quickly, and the recruitment of new supporters, especially young and psychologically vulnerable ones, takes place quietly and imperceptibly.
"Currently, the greatest threat from the aspect of religiously motivated terrorism in Montenegro is posed by self-radicalized individuals, mentally unstable individuals and persons exposed to long-term radicalization who may decide to carry out a terrorist attack, which does not require special preparation and logistics, and whose execution is difficult to predict and prevent," the cabinet said. Ivica Janović.
The secret service he heads has emphasized the problem of radicalization on social media, as well as the increase in hate speech, the purpose of which is precisely ideological indoctrination and incitement to commit attacks.
""Online radicalization, via social networks and encrypted communication applications (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.), has taken precedence over the previous method of direct presence of radical Salafi preachers from the Western Balkans region in Montenegro. There is also an increase in hate speech on social networks for the purpose of radicalization and motivating individuals to carry out terrorist attacks," the ANB said.
EUROPOL ALSO MONITORS VIOLENT ONLINE GROUPS
The problem of misuse of the internet and social media was also noted in Europol's latest Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (EU.SOCTA2025), which states that, at the crossroads between serious and organized crime and violent extremism, numerous online groups have emerged that share a common goal: "Destruction of civilized society through the corruption of youth."
“Driven by their extreme ideological views, criminal actors are gradually grooming and victimizing children, forcing them to commit violent acts, including sexual abuse, acts of cruelty, torture and murder. These violent online groups are targeting and manipulating vulnerable children and young people on widely available digital platforms, including social media and video game platforms,” the document states.
ISLAMIC STRUCTURES CONDEMN ISRAEL
The Montenegrin National Security Agency (ANB) emphasized propaganda activities and incitement of terrorist attacks directed against Jews as the main challenge in the Western Balkans and Europe.
"Since the beginning of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Islamist structures in the Western Balkans have condemned Israel and its allies and emphasized the suffering of Palestinians. Propaganda activities have also been expressed, which have greatly influenced the incitement of terrorist attacks against Jews in Europe, so this remains one of the main challenges that the Western Balkans and Europe will face in the coming period," the secret police explained.
"Vijesti" published yesterday data obtained from that service that there are several radical Salafi groups in Montenegro, divided into several factions, which are at different levels of radicalization.
"In Montenegro, so far, no terrorist attack has been carried out in the name of religion or faith. However, there are several radical Salafi groups in Montenegro, divided into several factions, which are at different levels of radicalization," the secret police responded.
The ANB announced that "an international component is observed in the activities of members of these groups and their focus on attempts to spread radical ideologies":
"Primarily targeting the younger population, as well as the continued radicalization of members of the RAE population. Regional networking of radical Salafi groups of the same ideological profile is reflected in mutual visits, occasional stays of radical religious preachers from the region and diaspora, the formation of local and regional groups on applications for encrypted communication, sharing of propaganda material, and the like. Radical religious preachers, some of whom are already at large after serving their sentences, have a dominant influence on the Salafi scene in Montenegro. However, since there are no prominent local preachers in Montenegro, radical Salafi structures, depending on their ideological orientation, rely on preachers from the countries of the region," the secret police responded to a set of questions about the presence of radical networks in Montenegro.
This service, in cooperation with the Police Directorate, recently prevented an attempt to establish a radical Islamic network in Montenegro, "Vijesti" was unofficially told by the top security sector. As part of this action, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina was expelled from the country. Haris Sundo, who was trying to form a parajamaat in Plav, a parallel religious community outside the framework of the official Islamic Community of Montenegro.
10 Montenegrin citizens return from Syria
Sixteen Montenegrin citizens are still in Syria, and ten of them have returned from that country, the National Security Agency told "Vijesti".
They said this in response to a set of questions about the number of returnees from the war zones of Syria and Iraq who are residing in Montenegro, as well as what surveillance measures they are under.
"A total of twenty-six Montenegrin citizens traveled to Syria from Montenegro. Of that number, twenty-three were adults (eighteen men and five women), while three were children. Five more children were born in Syria, whose parents or one of their parents are Montenegrin citizens," the secret service said.
They explain that, out of the total number of Montenegrin citizens who traveled to Syria, ten Montenegrin citizens returned to Montenegro:
"Of which nine are adults (eight men and one woman), and one is a child."
"Vijesti" yesterday published information received from the top of the security sector, according to which Wahhabis from Plav Omar Redžepagić and Džemal Canović have joined ISIL in Syria.
"After the collapse of ISIL, Omar Redžepagić ended up in a Kurdish prison, while Džemal Canović is believed to have died fighting on the side of ISIL," said the same source.
The Montenegrin National Security Agency has data on Montenegrin citizens who are close to the radical Islamist movement.
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