EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM

Several attempts to establish nihilistic right-wing extremist groups have been identified in Lithuania in recent years. Followers of this ideology are often young and vulnerable individuals whose involvement often begins with visiting right-wing extremist channels on social media. New group members are encouraged to commit criminal offences, including murder. The growing popularity of nihilistic right-wing extremism is increasing the likelihood of ‘lone wolf’ attacks.

It remains possible that Russian and Belarusian intelligence services will use right-wing extremists living in Western countries to carry out acts of sabotage in the near term. Belarusian and Russian intelligence services and right-wing extremists operating in Western countries share some objectives. They both seek to cause panic in Western societies and undermine trust in government institutions and the democratic system by performing high-profile criminal acts.

Islamist terrorist organisations and their followers are targeting minors. The number of young people involved in planning, supporting or carrying out attacks is increasing in Europe. These organisations and their supporters use new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to create violent content that appeals to minors and encourages their radicalisation. There have been isolated cases of minors in Lithuania expressing an interest in Islamist propaganda.