Minister of Interior and Justice Republic of Colombia Terrorism is a threat to world peace and security and therefore constitutes a problem affecting the whole of humanity. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, and is a method of producing anxiety based on repeated violent action by an individual or group of persons who, from ideological, political or criminal motives, create panic, worry, death, resentment and hatred, leaving behind them destruction, poverty, orphans and widows. States must join efforts at the local, national, bilateral, regional, biregional and international levels to deal with the various manifestations of terrorism; for this purpose, strengthened international cooperation is called for within the framework of joint and shared responsibility, with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and sustainable approach. Narcotics trafficking and other transnational crimes have become the main source of financing for terrorism, serving the interests of illegal armed groups that imperil governability, obstruct economic and social development, weaken democratic institutions, increase violence, violate human rights and destroy the natural environment. The painful experience of Colombia as a victim of the activities of terrorist groups and their clear links with illicit drug production and trafficking are well known. To counter these activities, we have had to build up an institutional structure including prevention, investigation, law enforcement and sanctions for terrorists. At the same time, this painful experience, which has cost the lives of many soldiers and police officers, has also strengthened us. Colombia has not confined itself to requesting the understanding, solidarity and support of the international community in the fight against terrorism. We also offer technical assistance and cooperation to those needing it. The Digest of Terrorist Cases, which we have the honour to present, is an example of this cooperation. The Digest of Terrorist Cases represents an important contribution towards the prevention, investigation and prosecution of actual terrorist acts in different parts of the world, and aims to provide those responsible for formulating public policy, judicial officials in the criminal justice field and police investigators in all the States Members of the United Nations with valuable tools for disrupting criminal organizations engaged in activities of this type. This handbook provides a practical guide based on a compilation of investigative work, and offers a general strategy of good practices in regard to investigative and judicial techniques and a unique and precious tool for professionals and experts working to prevent and fight terrorism. I am certain that the handbook will serve as a useful training instrument for all those responsible for combating this pernicious criminal activity. Fabio Valencia Cossio vii Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Italy Terrorism continues to represent one of the greatest global challenges to international peace, stability and security. When Italy agreed to host in Rome, on June 25 and 26 2009, the experts meeting on the final elaboration of this operational Digest of Terrorist Cases, it did so on the grounds of a dual international role: as coordinating country for terrorism within the European Unions Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and as President of the G8. Terrorism has indeed been very high on our G8 agenda. While UNODC experts were meeting in Rome, on those same two days, in Trieste, among other issues, my colleagues and I were discussing the impact of terrorism in the worlds most problematic regions. In accordance with a practice that dates back to 2002, at the Summit of LAquila, the G8 Leaders adopted in July 2009 an ad hoc Declaration on Counter-Terrorism; the essence of that high-level political document mirrors the core of this Digest, which is that, to be credible and effective, the struggle against this scourge must first of all have a strong legal foundation. Our answer to any kind of terrorist threat that challenges the Rule of Law should be the promotion and the enforcement of Rule of Law itself, including the observance of the whole set of guarantees that must be universally applied, in any trial and procedure, to ensure full respect of fundamental human rights. As this useful international Digest of different national cases practically demonstrates, to be credible and effective in the war against terror another condition should also be met. I refer to the necessity for strong and continuous cooperation efforts by the International Community at any level, in all competent forums, starting with the United Nations, the only organization suited to fostering a universal consensus on counter terrorism goals and methods. With this in mind, the Italian G8 Presidency enhanced the role of the UNODCs Terrorism Prevention Branch within the Rome-Lyon working group and also, together with the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) of the United Nations Security Council, admitted new partners to the local meetings of the Counter Terrorism Action Group. In continuance of this firm belief, that favours outreach policies and comprehensive approaches, in April 2009 the innovative G8 Conference of Rome on Transnational Threats and Destabilizing Factors was attended by representatives from several non-G8 countries as well as from relevant international organizations and think tanks. A significant conclusion of that fruitful exercise was that, as some of the cases reported in this Digest specifically demonstrate, the financing of terrorism is often connected to illegal economic circuits handled by organized crime, which, in turn, may be dangerously influenced by international economic trends and their actual or potential interactions with other issues of global concern. I am confident that this Digest will be of help to law enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices and other critical stakeholders all around the world, both in their training activities as well as in their everyday work. I also expect that it will contribute to the promotion of political debate among Governments and institutions, particularly within the framework of negotiations and initiatives aimed at achieving the goal of universal adherence not only to all international anti-terrorism instruments, but also to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime signed in Palermo ten years ago.