Latest news with #Europol
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí on alert over increase in number of drugs being obtained for use in sexual assaults on partners
Gardaí have been advised by international police agency Europol to take 'preventative and cautionary measures' on the crime, which is happening more frequently in homes as opposed to nightclubs. An alert has been issued to gardaí about an increase in the number of drugs that are being procured by sexual predators to facilitate rapes and assaults on unsuspecting partners. Gardaí have been advised by international police agency Europol to take 'preventative and cautionary measures' on the crime, which is happening more frequently in homes as opposed to nightclubs. Sexual abusers are ordering the substances online – which are often disguised in cosmetic products – and drugging their partners without their knowledge. Officers have listed four main drugs commonly used, including potent benzodiazepines like flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). 'The background to this alert is the high-profile case that recently occurred in France,' a source said, referring to Gisele Pelicot, who was repeatedly drugged and raped by her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and dozens of men, without her knowledge, over a decade. 'The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is aware of that case, and it is understood that a detective from that unit sent a memo to all gardaí about dealing with this particular type of crime.' After the sedatives are procured online, they are often stored in hiding places in the home or in the car, with the victim having no knowledge of what is going on. The abusers are often people who the victims have been in a close and trusting relationship with for many years. International police say investigations show that footage is often distributed or shared, with the abusers discussing how the victims would never allow these sexual acts in a conscious state. The victims usually have no memory of the sexual abuse and are completely unaware of what has happened to them. 'The belief is that similar crimes are occurring in our jurisdiction right now and have done so in the past, but not on the scale we saw in France,' the source added. Gisele Pelicot was drugged and raped by her husband and other men. Photo: Reuters 'This is not your typical nightclub scenario which gardaí find very difficult to investigate. This is a warning about targeted and deliberate abuse in a domestic situation.' In a statement, An Garda Síochána said it would advise victims of any form of 'spiking' to come forward and report the incidents to gardaí. 'An Garda Síochána takes all reports of spiking very seriously and continue to investigate to determine the nature of every incident reported to us, including results of toxicology reports in each case,' a spokesperson said. 'Any incident of this type of crime, including those with evidence to suggest a link with 'spiking', will be investigated by either local gardaí supported by or attached to divisional protective services units.' Ms Pelicot (72) said 'police saved my life' when they investigated her husband's computer in November 2020, after a security guard caught him filming women in a supermarket in southern France. Police said they found a file labelled 'abuses' on a USB drive connected to his computer that contained 20,000 images and films of his wife being raped almost 100 times. He admitted to inviting dozens of strangers over nearly ten years to their house to rape her after he had drugged her. He was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UAE and European Union Agency to enhance security cooperation
The UAE Ministry of Interior and the European Union Agency, represented by Europol, have partnered to establish secure communication lines to exchange security and police information to combat transnational organised crime. The deal was built on an integrated security system based on the exchange of expertise and the use of the latest technologies, state news agency WAM said. The UAE ministry affirmed that the agreement is a strategic step within the UAE's vision to strengthen its international partnerships and build an integrated security system. It is also an extension of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Combating Transnational Crime between the UAE and Europol, which was signed in September 2016. Europol welcomed the agreement, praising the strong relations with the UAE, and emphasising that close cooperation with international partners contributes to strengthening regional and international security.
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Irish Post
Ireland's first jihadist attack confirmed as EU report warns of rising extremism
IRELAND has officially recorded its first jihadist terrorist attack, following confirmation of the incident by An Garda Síochána in a newly released European Union terrorism report. The 2025 Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT), published by Europol, cites a knife attack on a Defence Forces chaplain in Galway last August as part of a broader rise in jihadism across Europe. The violent attack, which occurred at Renmore Barracks, involved a 16-year-old boy who had recently converted to Islam and was reportedly radicalised through online extremist content. He used a near ten-inch hunting knife to repeatedly stab Fr Paul Murphy through the window of a moving vehicle. Fr Murphy survived the assault, and the attacker - now 17 - was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder. While the teenager was not formally charged with terrorism offences, the arrest marks the first time Irish police have officially identified the motive as jihadist in nature. The attacker reportedly watched endless Islamic State propaganda videos. Across the EU, the number of terrorist attacks fell to 58 in 2024, down from 120 the previous year. Despite the drop, the number of jihadist-motivated attacks rose to 24 - ten more than in 2023 - making it the most lethal form of terrorism in the EU. These attacks were responsible for five deaths and 18 injuries. Most of the jihadist incidents, including the one in Ireland, were carried out by people acting alone. Europol stated that of the total 449 terrorism-related arrests made across the EU last year, nearly two-thirds were connected to jihadists. The Europol report also shows how global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are fuelling extremism across Europe. These events have been heavily exploited for online propaganda, leading to increased polarisation and hate speech, particularly antisemitism, according to the report. 'The ongoing geopolitical crises are creating fertile ground for radicalisation,' Europol stated, with social media fuelling the spread of extremist content. The report also highlights the rise in recruitment of minors into extremist violence. In 2024, almost a third of all people arrested for terrorism-related offences were either minors or young adults. The youngest was just 12 years old. Europol also brings attention to a disturbing rise in 'violence-as-a-service' schemes, where criminals recruit young people online to carry out contract killings. These operations have been particularly widespread in Scandinavian countries. Catherine De Bolle, Europol's Executive Director, stressed the urgency of addressing youth vulnerability. 'We're seeing more young people being drawn into violent extremist circles, often due to mental health challenges, social isolation, or heavy digital exposure,' she said. As De Bolle noted, 'These threats are no longer distant or theoretical. They are dynamic, deeply rooted in global events, and increasingly driven by digital influence. EU member states must remain vigilant.'
TAG 91.1
3 days ago
- Business
- TAG 91.1
UAE and European Union Agency to enhance exchange of security information
The UAE Ministry of Interior and the European Union Agency, represented by Europol, on Wednesday announced an agreement to establish secure communication lines to exchange security and police information. The deal was built on an integrated security system based on the exchange of expertise and the use of the latest technologies to enhance the security and stability of societies, state news agency WAM said. The Ministry of Interior affirmed that the signing of this memorandum is a strategic step within the UAE's vision to strengthen its international partnerships and build an integrated security system based on the exchange of expertise and the use of the latest technologies to enhance the security and stability of societies. It is also an extension of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Combating Transnational Crime between the UAE and Europol, which was signed in September 2016. Europol welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, praising the strong relations with the UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, and emphasising that close cooperation with active international partners contributes to strengthening regional and international security.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE, European Union Agency sign MoU to establish secure communication line to enhance security, police cooperation
25 June 2025 16:54 ABU DHABI (WAM)The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Interior, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union Agency, represented by Europol, regarding the establishment of a secure communication line between the two comes within the framework of the strong relations and strategic partnership between them, particularly in the areas of security and combating transnational organised MoU aims to establish a secure technical infrastructure for the exchange of security and police information, enhancing the ability of both parties to combat this type of organised Ministry of Interior affirmed that the signing of this MoU is a strategic step within the UAE's vision to strengthen its international partnerships and build an integrated security system based on the exchange of expertise and the use of the latest technologies to enhance the security and stability of is also an extension of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Combating Transnational Crime between the UAE and Europol, which was signed on September 7, 2016. For its part, Europol welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, praising the strong relations with the UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, and emphasising that close cooperation with active international partners contributes to strengthening regional and international security.
