Minister of Interior and Justice Republic of Colombia Terrorism is a threat to

world peace and security and therefore constitutes a problem affecting the
whole of humanity. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, and is a method
of producing anxiety based on repeated violent action by an individual or
group of persons who, from ideological, political or criminal motives, create
panic, worry, death, resentment and hatred, leaving behind them
destruction, poverty, orphans and widows. States must join efforts at the
local, national, bilateral, regional, biregional and international levels to deal
with the various manifestations of terrorism; for this purpose, strengthened
international cooperation is called for within the framework of joint and
shared responsibility, with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and
sustainable approach. Narcotics trafficking and other transnational crimes
have become the main source of financing for terrorism, serving the interests
of illegal armed groups that imperil governability, obstruct economic and
social development, weaken democratic institutions, increase violence,
violate human rights and destroy the natural environment. The painful
experience of Colombia as a victim of the activities of terrorist groups and
their clear links with illicit drug production and trafficking are well known. To
counter these activities, we have had to build up an institutional structure
including prevention, investigation, law enforcement and sanctions for
terrorists. At the same time, this painful experience, which has cost the lives
of many soldiers and police officers, has also strengthened us. Colombia has
not confined itself to requesting the understanding, solidarity and support of
the international community in the fight against terrorism. We also offer
technical assistance and cooperation to those needing it. The Digest of
Terrorist Cases, which we have the honour to present, is an example of this
cooperation. The Digest of Terrorist Cases represents an important
contribution towards the prevention, investigation and prosecution of actual
terrorist acts in different parts of the world, and aims to provide those
responsible for formulating public policy, judicial officials in the criminal
justice field and police investigators in all the States Members of the United
Nations with valuable tools for disrupting criminal organizations engaged in
activities of this type. This handbook provides a practical guide based on a
compilation of investigative work, and offers a general strategy of good
practices in regard to investigative and judicial techniques and a unique and
precious tool for professionals and experts working to prevent and fight
terrorism. I am certain that the handbook will serve as a useful training
instrument for all those responsible for combating this pernicious criminal
activity. Fabio Valencia Cossio vii Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Italy
Terrorism continues to represent one of the greatest global challenges to
international peace, stability and security. When Italy agreed to host in
Rome, on June 25 and 26 2009, the experts meeting on the final elaboration
of this operational Digest of Terrorist Cases, it did so on the grounds of a dual
international role: as coordinating country for terrorism within the European
Unions Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC), and as President of the G8. Terrorism has indeed been very high on

our G8 agenda. While UNODC experts were meeting in Rome, on those same
two days, in Trieste, among other issues, my colleagues and I were
discussing the impact of terrorism in the worlds most problematic regions. In
accordance with a practice that dates back to 2002, at the Summit of
LAquila, the G8 Leaders adopted in July 2009 an ad hoc Declaration on
Counter-Terrorism; the essence of that high-level political document mirrors
the core of this Digest, which is that, to be credible and effective, the
struggle against this scourge must first of all have a strong legal foundation.
Our answer to any kind of terrorist threat that challenges the Rule of Law
should be the promotion and the enforcement of Rule of Law itself, including
the observance of the whole set of guarantees that must be universally
applied, in any trial and procedure, to ensure full respect of fundamental
human rights. As this useful international Digest of different national cases
practically demonstrates, to be credible and effective in the war against
terror another condition should also be met. I refer to the necessity for strong
and continuous cooperation efforts by the International Community at any
level, in all competent forums, starting with the United Nations, the only
organization suited to fostering a universal consensus on counter terrorism
goals and methods. With this in mind, the Italian G8 Presidency enhanced
the role of the UNODCs Terrorism Prevention Branch within the Rome-Lyon
working group and also, together with the Counter Terrorism Executive
Directorate (CTED) of the United Nations Security Council, admitted new
partners to the local meetings of the Counter Terrorism Action Group. In
continuance of this firm belief, that favours outreach policies and
comprehensive approaches, in April 2009 the innovative G8 Conference of
Rome on Transnational Threats and Destabilizing Factors was attended by
representatives from several non-G8 countries as well as from relevant
international organizations and think tanks. A significant conclusion of that
fruitful exercise was that, as some of the cases reported in this Digest
specifically demonstrate, the financing of terrorism is often connected to
illegal economic circuits handled by organized crime, which, in turn, may be
dangerously influenced by international economic trends and their actual or
potential interactions with other issues of global concern. I am confident that
this Digest will be of help to law enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices
and other critical stakeholders all around the world, both in their training
activities as well as in their everyday work. I also expect that it will
contribute to the promotion of political debate among Governments and
institutions, particularly within the framework of negotiations and initiatives
aimed at achieving the goal of universal adherence not only to all
international anti-terrorism instruments, but also to the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime signed in Palermo ten
years ago.