Left-Extremist Endeavours

his cause. This also covers logistic support for groups pursuing
violent activities in Algeria, by providing them with material supplies,
e.g. communications equipment. In particular, such activities
include forgery of ID documents in order to make illegal travel
or a ’legitimate’ residence status, especially within Europe,
possible for members for the groups. In 1998 and 1999, sentences
were passed in France and Belgium against several supporters
of the GIA and the former so-called HATTAB Faction.
In June, GIA supporters disseminated threat letters against
France and Belgium, in which they announced "bloodbaths" in
Belgium, among others, if Islamists convicted in that country
would continue to be held in custody and be deported to other
countries. During a road vehicle check in late June, presumed
supporters of the GIA - including one Moroccan, one Tunesian
and one Algerian - opened fire against police officers in Frankfurt/Main.
Four officers suffered shot wounds. The main suspect
was arrested in the Netherlands in July.
The de-escalation of the conflict in Algeria and, in addition, the
increasing incidence of executive measures against Algerian Islamists
in various European countries over the past three years
might have as a consequence that the activities of violence-inclined
Algerian Islamists in Europe will be detached from Algeria
as the focal centre of the conflict and will gain a thrust of their
own. A development to be observed in this context is that the organizational
delimitations among the Arab Islamists in Europe
tend to dissolve and that multinational networks are being formed
in which the "Arabian Mujahiddin" (cf. para. 3.4 below) play a
central role.
3.2 Egyptian Islamists
"Al-Gama’a al-Islamiya" (GI)
(Islamic Community)
- Basic data for Germany -
Founded: 1971 (in Egypt)
Leadership: a group of functionaries
Members: only a few in Germany
In 1999, the GI did not commit any spectacular attacks in Egypt.
Its leadership adheres to its decision to abstain from the use of
force and from attacks on Western targets. There have been no
indications that GI supporters or functionaries residing in Germany
or in other European countries might be involved in the
execution of terrorist activities.
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