The Coordination Body for Threat Analysis (OCAD) has identified some worrying trends, such as nihilistic extremism. The general threat assessment is evolving favorably, De Tijd and L’Echo write today based on a new annual report from the organization.
Source: Belga
The anti-terrorist body warns of the growing influence of the Internet on the spread of classic extremist propaganda. The majority of the extremism files that the OCAD analyzed took place online. Jihadists, as well as right-wing and left-wing extremists, have become more active in spreading their message with the help of algorithms and AI.
Extremist nihilism, which revolves around the glorification of gratuitous violence, is also a concern for the anti-terrorist body. Although the number of files is limited so far, the OCAD is extremely vigilant. Unlike other forms of extremism, there are no clear ideological roots in this new phenomenon.
The OCAD registered 157 reports of extremist or terrorist threats last year. The number was more than a quarter lower than in 2024, when 217 reports were received. The average severity of the threat is also decreasing.
The OCAD classified the risk as low in the majority of the reports (59 percent). Only in 5 percent of cases did it consider the threat serious, meaning an attack is “possible and likely.” There were no very serious threats – where an attack is ‘imminent’ – last year.
