On 19 June, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) held a meeting of Counterterrorism Centre Expert Advisory Council, where current developments were discussed and the priorities for the next half of the year were outlined. VDD organises such meetings biannually.
VDD along with representatives of the institutions involved in the implementation of counterterrorism measures discussed the current trends of terrorism threats in Europe. Special attention was paid to the increase of terrorism related incidents in Europe, as well as the increase of youth radicalisation and participation in violent activities.
VDD emphasises that the current terrorism threat level in Latvia is low and the information at the disposal of VDD does not indicate that the situation could change in the near future.
The participants of the meeting were introduced to the activities carried out by VDD in the first half of the year – strengthening of prevention and response measures. The Service has carried out systematic work both to prevent the risks of terrorism and to increase the readiness of competent institutions in the event of a terrorist threat. For example, VDD offered assistance to institutions involved in the enforcement of internal plans in accordance with the updated National Counter-Terrorism Plan approved by the Cabinet of Ministers last year.
Likewise, VDD continued intensive work to strengthen the security of terrorism risk objects, evaluating the physical security measures of critical infrastructure and places of mass gathering and providing recommendations for their improvement. In addition, VDD offered recommendations for safety measures of high-risk public events, including large-scale events such as the XIII Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival.
At the meeting, VDD also informed the participants about the activities for the first half of 2025 of the council subgroups – the radicalisation prevention group "PREVENT" and the Terrorism Financing Investigation Coordination Group.
Within the scope of "PREVENT", VDD gave multiple presentations about the signs of radicalisation for various representatives of institutions who, in the line of their work, can detect potential radicalisation of individuals.
Terrorism Financing Investigation Coordination Group, on the other hand, evaluated reports of suspicious transactions and potential violation of international sanctions, as well as recent developments in the prevention of terrorism financing.
VDD Counterterrorism Centre Expert Advisory Board is the coordinating and consulting institution whose aim is to improve the cooperation among VDD, state and municipal institutions, as well as the private sector within the counterterrorism field in order to ensure the preparedness to effectively prevent terrorism threats and to remedy their consequences. The representatives of the following institutions take part in the Advisory Board: Constitution Protection Bureau, Defence Intelligence and Security Service, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, Financial Intelligence Unit, National Armed Forces, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Latvia.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo by Freepik
