US labels Neo-Nazi Nordic group as global terrorists
- In Reports
- 02:32 PM, Jun 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The US State Department has taken a significant step in its counterterrorism efforts by designating a neo-Nazi Nordic group (NRM) and three of its key leaders as terrorists, according to a report by CNN. This decision represents only the second time in history that the United States has classified a foreign white supremacist organisation in this manner.
NRM, the largest neo-Nazi group in Sweden, operates branches in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland, where it has been banned since 2020. Members of NRM have been implicated in activities involving the collection and preparation of weapons and explosive materials in support of the group's objectives.
Additionally, the group has conducted training sessions in violent tactics, including hand-to-hand combat and knife fighting, as stated in a press release from the US State Department.
The State Department has officially designated the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) and its top officials Tor Fredrik Vejdeland, Par Oberg, and Leif Robert Eklund as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, underscored the gravity of the decision, stating that it marks the Biden administration's first such designation against a white supremacist group. Previously, in 2020, the Trump administration had similarly designated the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) and its leaders.
Founded in Sweden in 1997, the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) has expanded its influence across Scandinavia, operating branches in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. Despite its origins in Sweden, the organisation faced a ban in Finland in 2020 due to its extremist activities, as reported by CNN.
According to a statement from the State Department, the NRM was singled out for its involvement in or attempted commission of acts of terrorism that pose significant threats to US nationals, as well as to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. The group's ideology centres on racism, anti-immigrant sentiments, anti-Semitism, and hostility towards LGBTQI+ individuals. Members and leaders of the NRM have been implicated in violent attacks targeting political opponents, journalists, protesters, and others perceived as adversaries.
Miller highlighted that the NRM poses specific threats due to its activities in weapon collection, including explosives, and its organisation of training sessions focused on violent tactics like hand-to-hand combat and knife fighting.
The decision to designate the NRM as terrorists reflects ongoing concerns raised by US officials about the persistent threat from white supremacist terror groups globally. The US Intelligence Community's 2024 Annual Threat Assessment has emphasised the danger posed by racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists, particularly those driven by white supremacy, across multiple regions, including Europe, South America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, CNN reported.
The Biden-Harris Administration has reaffirmed its commitment to countering domestic terrorism, particularly from racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists. Ian Moss, Deputy Coordinator for the Bureau of Counterterrorism, highlighted the growing trend of transnational linkages among extremist groups, facilitated by online platforms, gaming networks, and encrypted chat apps.
The State Department’s designation of the NRM as terrorists is part of a broader US strategy to address the global threat posed by these extremists. This includes efforts to disrupt their financial networks, aiming to limit their ability to finance extremist activities through international financial systems.
CNN reported that President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2019, expanding the US government's authority to target groups involved in training terrorists, not only those directly executing attacks. This regulatory framework has served as the legal basis for the recent designation of the NRM and its leaders as terrorists, highlighting the proactive stance of the US government in addressing extremist threats.
Image source: CNN
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