The threat may be invisible: international experts discuss security threats and counter-terrorism in Minsk

The recent story of the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai airliner illustrates how difficult it is to shut down all security vulnerabilities and threats. In today’s world, no country can do it alone. Terrorism has no borders or nationality. Belarus actively participates in international counter-terrorism work. We have an effective system to counter the threat and trained personnel. We are visible in the world, and therefore it is logical that Minsk has become a place for regular meetings of specialists in the fight against terrorism.

This week, the IV Counter-Terrorism Forum was held in the Belarusian capital. A large-scale event that brought together delegations from 28 states, 17 specialized bodies of the CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, 10 international organizations.

Minsk once again confirmed its status as an important platform for dialogue on security issues. In November, Minsk will host the International Conference on Eurasian Security. About the joint fight against terrorism in the modern world - in the plot of ONT.

Terrorism is not something far away. It is a tool of radicals used in our region. Including fugitive extremists and their collaborators. Not so long ago, Avtukhovich and his group staged attacks on houses and cars. In the cache, the offender kept TNT and firearms. Another - Vabishevich was preparing explosions on the railway. The target was the passengers of the train.

Alexander Neverovsky, First Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus: All these challenges are relevant for Belarus, because we are in the center of Europe, we are in the center of events, we are on the western outpost of the CIS. Today, unfortunately, many of our compatriots abroad are calling for various actions on the territory of the Republic of Belarus that could destabilize the situation. Terrorism is moving into the digital sphere, into the virtual sphere, and these are the most problematic moments, they are the most latent, we cannot always see them, and we need to pay more attention to these areas.”.

Through the Internet, they recruit potential perpetrators, receive transfers to terrorist activities, masking it with false patriotism and liberation. Such tactics are used by a number of countries that sponsor various types of mercenary formations of citizens of our country. A number of them are trained and receive combat experience in Ukraine. Their goal is sabotage in Belarus, the seizure of territory and the subsequent creation of a political crisis. With its development, terrorists can declare themselves “liberators” and seek foreign military assistance.

Factories to create fakes, false news, custom comments and “twisting” public opinion on the Internet. This is not open interference, but the creation of new meanings, the discrediting of the authorities. Attempts to stage another color revolution and expand spheres of influence on our country are unlikely to be abandoned. They are usually scheduled for election campaigns or accompanied by major upheavals. And counterterrorism operations will have to be conducted both in a real combat situation and in a virtual network.