ABSTRACT
Drawing on a sample of 130 Western European jihadists, who became affiliated with jihadist groups between 2012 and 2018, the aim of this research was not merely to describe a sub-segment of European jihadists, but to use the preponderance of criminal backgrounds among them in order to extract wider lessons about “ordinary” criminals who turn to terrorism. How do radicalisation processes differ? Where are they recruited? Do they have specific “skills” and experiences that are useful in terrorism? The research showed that criminal backgrounds can have a profound impact on radicalisation and terrorist behaviour. Though not exclusive to former criminals, it found evidence that “redemption” is an especially powerful narrative among former criminals, and that prisons offer conditions that are conducive to their radicalisation. It also demonstrates that former criminals have contributed to terrorism through their ability to access weapons, stay “under the radar”, and raise money through petty crime. One of the most significant findings is that (violent) criminals take less time to radicalise into terrorism than non-violent criminals.
