The Wahhabi movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina could produce the first brigade, which the leader of the SDA described as for “in case of emergency,” stated Predrag Ćeranić, a professor at the Faculty of Security Studies in Banja Luka.
Ćeranić assessed that while the chances of terrorist attacks similar to those from 2010-2014 are low in BiH, there is a growing concern that former members of the infamous “El Mujahideen” unit have become humanitarian workers.
- These are now non-governmental organizations registered in municipalities and courts; they have bank accounts, receive support from local communities, and provide assistance to the socially disadvantaged. In other words, they are ideologically strengthening, expanding their influence, and gaining more followers – Ćeranić emphasized.
He also highlighted that many younger people are now joining the Wahhabi movement, having been educated at prestigious universities in Islamic countries, particularly in theological faculties.
- There seems to be a truce between the Islamic Community of BiH and the Wahhabi movement, and no one is disturbing them now; they are tolerated by the authorities. The Wahhabi movement could give rise to the first brigade, as Izetbegović said, “in case of emergency” – Ćeranić said in an interview with Srna.
Ćeranić noted that the Wahhabis are now primarily using the social network “Telegram” rather than “Facebook,” and they are using the internet to give lectures, with no interest in engaging in terrorist attacks that would portray them as a security threat to BiH.
- I have noticed that the leaders of the Wahhabi movement are urging their followers not to fall for provocations and to avoid any actions that could have consequences – Ćeranić stated.
He explained that this change in behavior is because the Wahhabis have altered their methods of operation; they are no longer isolated communities where they raise bees and interact with the local population only when selling honey or distributing religious literature.
He also pointed out that due to the war in Ukraine, the Wahhabi movement has been forgotten but has re-entered the media discourse after Wahhabi Miloš Žujević attempted an attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgrade.
- The Serban services are serious about preventing such terrorist attacks from happening again, and they tracked down Wahhabi Senad Ramović, who refused to surrender and opened fire on the police, leading to his elimination. These services will undoubtedly continue to investigate to uncover potential instigators and supporters of Žujević – Ćeranić concluded.
Source: RTRS
