CBRN Threats and Incidents Involving Non-state Actors - 2023 Annual Report
Publish date: 2024-06-28
Report number: FOI-R--5627--SE
Pages: 33
Written in: English
Keywords:
- non-state actors
- terrorism
- criminality
- bioterrorism
- poisoning
- CBRN
- threat assessment
- annual report
Abstract
There is no public information on the use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) materials in any terrorist attack causing widespread negative consequences in 2023. Following a few years of relatively few reports and incidents linking terrorism and CBRN materials, the number of reports on propaganda and suspected attack preparations is now increasing again. Particularly in Europe, arrests for suspected attack preparation using chemical materials and/or toxins have occurred in the last two years. In every case, the individuals were arrested before acquiring the necessary resources and knowledge to carry out an attack. The toxic materials involved in these cases have primarily been hydrogen cyanide and ricin. Thus, these cases do not deviate from previous patterns of jihadi interest in building capabilities for this type of attack. As in previous years, the authors note that toxic materials continue to be used to threaten, intimidate, and harm other people. In most of the cases that have come to the attention of the authors, the perpetrators have targeted individuals closely related to them with threats. Threats that allude to toxic and infectious materials also occur for financially opportunistic purposes, or to manifest discontent against companies, authorities, or other public functions and persons.