Interview: ISIS "determined to carry out attacks in western Europe:" Dutch counter-terrorism chief

ISIS is determined to carry out attacks, particularly in Western Europe, and especially now that it is under pressure militarily in Syria and Iraq, Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) Dick Schoof told Xinhua in a recent interview.

If ISIS' self-declared "caliphate" collapses, the number of returnees is expected to rise gradually, and some of them will probably end up bolstering the jihadist movement in the Netherlands, warned the Dutch counter-terrorism chief.

Schoof estimated that ISIS sent dozens of operatives to Europe to carry out attacks or provide assistance to attackers.

An NCTV assessment, released in November, said international terrorist networks are active on Dutch soil, as confirmed by the arrest of an ISIS operative in Rotterdam in March and three related arrests in July.

Earlier in December, a man was arrested on suspicion of preparing an ISIS-inspired terror attack in the Netherlands.

"Now that it has become more difficult to leave the country to join the 'caliphate,' the movement may shift its focus to the Netherlands itself," said Schoof.

"Jihadists living in the Netherlands could respond to the repeated calls by ISIS and Al Qaeda to commit terrorist violence in one's own country."

To further its aims, ISIS also targets vulnerable people who are easily influenced, as could be seen from last summer's attacks in places like Germany and France, Schoof added.

According to the NCTV, around 270 Dutch jihadists traveled to Syria and Iraq. Some of them have been killed (44) or returned (around 40).

Since the start of 2016, fewer people have been departing each month. Around 190 Dutch jihadists remain in Syria and Iraq.

An NCTV assessment published last March stated that the jihadist movement in the Netherlands has hundreds of supporters and several thousands of sympathizers.

The number of returning Dutch terrorist fighters has been dropping sharply since 2015 and has almost come to a standstill in 2016, he added.

"However, we are preparing ourselves for scenarios in which that may change," he cautioned. "We consider returnees a threat to national security, both men and women, and even the children," said Schoof.

Women play an important role as recruiters and facilitators and in some cases learn how to handle weapons. From age of nine, boys receive training, he explained.

The danger of Dutch terrorist fighters is that they may return radicalized, battle-hardened and with extensive extremist networks that might encourage them to commit a terrorist attack in the Netherlands, he said.

"In the worst case, they return tasked to commit such an attack. We, therefore, recognize and reduce this risk with priority, applying the necessary means amongst all partners at the local, national and international level."

The risk of violence by the far right and far left -- sparked by controversy surrounding issues like Islam, asylum seekers, integration, Europe and Turkey -- also worries the Dutch counterterrorism chief.

"More polarization is conceivable in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in March 2017," he said. "During the election campaign, there will also be a greater risk of an act of violence by a lone individual."

Nevertheless, he reiterated that the threat level in the Netherlands, which face the same treats as other European countries, remains "substantial".

"Within the EU, especially since the terrible attacks in Paris and Brussels, we are investing heavily in our arrangements in order to share information on foreign terrorist fighters and their travel movements, while we are also pushing back hard on the availability of firearms and terrorist financing," Schoof noted.

Outside the EU, the Netherlands, as co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, helps create a platform for discussion and sharing experiences around the world, with the aim of implementing the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy and strengthening international cooperation, Schoof said.

Dealing with returnee, Dutch authorities requires a targeted, comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach with involvement of all relevant partners.

Returnees are all held for questioning and placed in temporary custody while they are under criminal investigation, said Schoof.

"Reintegration is an absolute necessity. After all, not every investigation leads to a conviction or long sentences. As much as we invest in a strong criminal justice approach and disengagement programs inside the prisons, we invest even more in prevention and a comprehensive administrative approach at the local level," he explained.

Recently, additional legal measures have been undertaken such as criminalizing staying in an area controlled by a terrorist organization.

"This provides for an extra ground for prosecution when it cannot be proved that terrorist crimes have been committed," Schoof explained.

In the beginning of 2015, the Dutch government increased its counterterrorism budget by 128 million euros (133.15 million U.S. dollars) for both repressive and preventive measures.

More spending is planned from 2017 onwards aiming at reaching 150 million euros in total in 2020.

On the preventive side both local and national authorities aim to signal and answer any important sign of radicalization and violent extremism at an early stage, Schoof explained, underlining the need to be "on the alert in all cities and areas."

It is of crucial importance to prevent radicalization as early as possible, said Schoof.

"Terrorist attackers have almost always gone through a process of radicalization before they commit an act of violence. So we aim to signal and answer any important sign of radicalization and violent extremism at an early stage."

To this end, "we support our local authorities with financial support that focuses on establishing and maintaining strategic networks, developing a comprehensive education approach, and devising case-by-case, tailor-made interventions," he said. Endit