Online Extremist Group Member Arrested For Hate Speeches & 3D Printed Weapons Manuals In Slovakia

NEW DELHI: In a coordinated effort of top Slovakian and international agencies, a dangerous member of an online right-wing extremist group who allegedly published instructions for home manufacturing of firearms with 3D-printable parts has been arrested.

According to reports, the suspect is a well-known figure in the international far-right cyberspace because of spreading extremist hate speech and terrorist activities.

He is associated with groups and individuals who are spreading neo-Nazi, far-right and white supremacist extremist propaganda, the report stated.

The suspect is part of an online extremist movement which identifies itself as the “Siege” but was tracked down following investigations by the Slovak National Crime Agency, the Slovak Military Intelligence, the Slovak Police, supported by the Czech National Organized Crime Agency, the US FBI, Europol and Eurojust.

“The suspect allegedly published instructions and diagrams for manufacturing improvised cold weapons, home-produced automatic firearms, explosives and mines, and instructions for sabotage attacks,” according to the report.

“The instructions include the domestic production of automatic firearms manufactured in combination with 3D-printable parts and home-made metal parts. The suspect is currently under custody, awaiting further proceedings,” the report stated.

The authorities investigating the case said the followers of the “Siege” movement have belief rooted in the fascist ideology.

 A UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION

While the suspect has been nabbed is under custody, the event displayed a unique opportunity for coordination between Slovakian and international agencies jointly investigating the case.

“The Military Intelligence Service detected the suspect through its specialised activities and instigated an intense and successful judicial investigation led by the NAKA. The Czech National Organized Crime Agency strongly supported Slovak colleagues with the operational investigation and evidence gathering,” the report stated.      

“Europol facilitated the information exchange and provided operational analysis. An Operational Task Force was also established to coordinate the operational activities. Europol’s experts from different units supported the investigations with operational intelligence analysis,” according to the report.

It noted that on the Action Days, Europol provided support by deploying two experts to Slovakia to cross-check operational information against Europol’s databases and provide links to investigators in the field.

Europol also provided technical support for the analysis of the seized electronic devices, while Eurojust set up a joint investigation team between Czechia and Slovakia to coordinate the judicial actions.

Europol, which is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands,  supports the 27 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime and other serious and organised forms of crime.

Follow The420.in on

 Telegram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube