Europol chief warns of jihad threat

Europol Chief Rob Wainwright has warned of a new, decentralized jihadist threat. The warning came a day after French police shot homegrown extremist Mohamed Merah who killed seven people, including three children, on a hate-fueled rampage. Europol chief warns of jihad threat "It is concerning us," he told the Associated Press (AP) in an exclusive telephone interview from The Hague. “We have a different kind of jihadist threat emerging and it's getting stronger. It is much more decentralized and harder to track," Wainwright added. “Combating individuals operating outside of networks will take smarter measures in monitoring the Internet, better intelligence and international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts,” he explained. Wainwright conceded that there were limits to what law enforcement officials can do. "We can't police the internet," the Europol chief said. The 23-year-old Frenchman of Algerian descent, was killed Thursday in a shootout after police raided the Toulouse apartment where he had been holed up for 32 hours in a standoff with the authorities. Wainwright said Merah lacked the professionalism of terrorists of the past. He said the gunman seemed divided between wanting to increase his death toll and publicizing his acts by filming his deeds and bragging about them. "It is very telling that he filmed his exploits," he said. "Still, in spite of the mistakes, he managed to carry out significant damage. ... That is the challenge for us," he stressed. Wainwright said that al-Qaida's influence looms over the attacks. "He was acting in line with al-Qaida inspired tactics, and although it may not have been closely coordinated, it was certainly al-Qaida inspired," he concluded. Tanjug

Europol chief warns of jihad threat

"It is concerning us," he told the Associated Press (AP) in an exclusive telephone interview from The Hague.

“We have a different kind of jihadist threat emerging and it's getting stronger. It is much more decentralized and harder to track," Wainwright added.

“Combating individuals operating outside of networks will take smarter measures in monitoring the Internet, better intelligence and international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts,” he explained.

Wainwright conceded that there were limits to what law enforcement officials can do. "We can't police the internet," the Europol chief said.

The 23-year-old Frenchman of Algerian descent, was killed Thursday in a shootout after police raided the Toulouse apartment where he had been holed up for 32 hours in a standoff with the authorities.

Wainwright said Merah lacked the professionalism of terrorists of the past. He said the gunman seemed divided between wanting to increase his death toll and publicizing his acts by filming his deeds and bragging about them.

"It is very telling that he filmed his exploits," he said. "Still, in spite of the mistakes, he managed to carry out significant damage. ... That is the challenge for us," he stressed.

Wainwright said that al-Qaida's influence looms over the attacks.

"He was acting in line with al-Qaida inspired tactics, and although it may not have been closely coordinated, it was certainly al-Qaida inspired," he concluded.