82 terrorism convictions in Denmark since 9/11 attacks

A total of 82 convictions have been handed down under Denmark’s terrorism laws since the attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, according to the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, PET.

PET released the figures in connection with the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

The 82 convictions stem from 54 separate cases and include cases involving foiled terrorist attacks, support for terrorism and promoting terrorism. Three of the cases are still under appeal.

“Fortunately, over the past many years we have prevented a number of terrorist attacks in Denmark, and many people have been convicted of supporting or planning terrorism,” said PET’s head of operations, Flemming Drejer.

Terrorist threat has changed

According to PET, the nature of the terrorist threat has changed over the past 25 years.

While larger attacks planned by al-Qaeda and IS were previously a major concern, the threat now often comes from individuals or smaller groups acting on their own.

At the same time, much of the radicalisation now takes place online and, according to PET, particularly affects very young people and minors. Radicalisation is also not always driven by a clearly defined ideology or cause.

PET also points to the increasing involvement of states such as Iran and criminal networks in terrorism, in some cases also in Denmark.

“This makes the threat landscape much more complex and dynamic to deal with than before,” Drejer said.

According to PET, these developments mean that intelligence and security services can no longer focus solely on threats in the physical world. Technological developments and online activities also require new methods and tools.