Bartjan Wegter identifies nihilistic violent extremism as a growing security threat driven by online networks and young people.
European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter stated that nihilistic violent extremism is becoming a significant security threat in Europe, characterized by violence for the sake of violence rather than specific ideologies. This trend is driven primarily by young people, particularly boys, who use online communities to gain status and assert themselves.
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During a June and July campaign to disrupt the network known as "The COM," investigators from nine European countries identified approximately 4,340 URL web addresses. Wegter noted that these incidents are often difficult to track because they occur within encrypted online communities where individuals may not have prior criminal records. Last year, 45 terrorist attacks were reported across 10 of the 27 EU countries, with jihadist groups accounting for more than 70% of the arrests. However, Wegter highlighted that nihilistic violence is distinct from traditional jihadist threats. He noted that 85% of investigations now take place in the digital environment, where AI-powered bots and deepfakes are used to amplify propaganda and tactics.