5. Investigations and Prosecutions

This chapter examines the ways in which “terrorist asylum-seekers” have been detected and dealt with from a counter-terrorism (CT) perspective. Specifically, this chapter analyses the point of detection, sources of investigations and judicial outcomes for those who have been prosecuted. Mullins finds that the majority of terrorist asylum-seekers have been detected not at the external borders, but within Europe itself—typically more than a year after they first arrived. Meanwhile, the number one source of investigations has been tip-offs, most notably from other asylum-seekers and refugees. Information provided by foreign partners—particularly the USA—has also played an important role, followed by border control and proactive CT efforts within Europe. Beyond the initial point of detection, the investigation and prosecution of terrorist asylum-seekers have been complex and fraught with difficulty, not least due to evidentiary challenges.