Terrorism

Counterterrorism

FBI Policy and Guidelines

In accordance with U.S. Counterterrorism policy, the FBI considers terrorists to be criminals. The FBI investigates terrorists in the United States under the following guidelines:

Domestic Terrorism

Domestic terrorism investigations are conducted in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines for General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprises, and Domestic Terrorism Enterprise Investigations. These guidelines set forth the predication threshold and limits for investigation of U.S. persons who reside here, who are not acting on behalf of a foreign power, and who may be conducting criminal activities in support of terrorist objectives.

International Terrorism

International terrorism investigations are conducted in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines for FBI Foreign Intelligence Collection and Foreign Counterintelligence Investigations. These guidelines set forth the predication level and limits for investigating U.S. persons or foreign nationals in the United States who appear to be either acting on behalf of a foreign power and who appear to be targeting national security interests.

There is no federal law which makes terrorism a crime. Terrorists are arrested and convicted under existing criminal statutes. All suspected terrorists placed under arrest are provided access to legal council and normal judicial procedure, including Fifth Amendment privileges and a fair trial by judge and jury.

Definitions

There is no single definition of terrorism. The FBI defines terrorism as, "the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."

The FBI further describes terrorism as either domestic or international, depending on the origin, base, and objectives of the terrorist organization.

• Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals who are based and operate entirely within the United states and Puerto Rico without foreign direction and whose acts are directed at elements of the U.S. Government or population.

• International terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence committed by a group or individual, who has some connection to a foreign power or whose activities transcend national boundaries, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

The FBI divides terrorist-related activity into three categories:

• a terrorist incident is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any state, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives;

• a suspected terrorist incident is a potential act of terrorism in which responsibility for the act cannot be attributed at the time to a known or suspected terrorist group or individual; and

• a terrorism prevention is a documented instance in which a violent act by a known or suspected terrorist group or individual with the means and a proven propensity for violence is successfully interdicted through investigative activity.

Framework for Response

The FBI breaks down its Counterterrorism program into two separate areas. The first is our Domestic Terrorism program. This program deals with terrorism committed by indigenous U.S. persons or groups who are not controlled or directed by foreign powers, agendas, or issues. Denver's Domestic Terrorism Squad includes FBI Special Agents, FBI Intelligence Research Specialists, as well as three local law enforcement investigators and one Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Our second area of interest is International Terrorism, which includes "Extraterritorial Jurisdiction." This form of terrorism includes political violence directed against U.S. persons or interests (domestic or overseas) in which there is some nexus or connection to foreign powers or some form of foreign control. The best example of this form of terrorism in the United States is the World Trade Center bombing in New York City on 02/26/1993.

Extraterritorial Jurisdiction

In 1984 and 1986, Congress passed extraterritorial or "long-arm" statutes which permit the U.S. Government to charge persons who attack U.S. interests overseas with criminal violations, and return them to the United States for trial. In addition to investigating international terrorism inside the United States, the FBI also is responsible for investigating acts of international terrorism against U.S. interests overseas, and returning terrorist suspects to the United States for trial. We closely coordinate all of our overseas activities with the U.S. Department of State and the host foreign government. Examples of the FBI's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and overseas response to international terrorism incidents are: the 06/25/1996 bombing of Al-Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; and the 08/07/1998 twin bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Denver's International Terrorism Squad includes FBI Special Agents, FBI Intelligence Research Specialists, FBI Language Specialists, three local/state law enforcement investigators and Agents from the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enhancement (USICE), U.S. Department of State/Diplomatic Security Service and the Counterterrorism Center.

FBI Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and Counterterrorism Incident Response includes:

• bombings, post-blast response/investigations;

• hijackings;

• hostage - taking; and

• homicides of U.S. persons overseas.

Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF)

In order to respond to the growing terrorist threat and to keep pace with the changing terrorism environment, the FBI has established "Joint Terrorist Task Forces" in several field offices. Denver FBI'S Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF) is primarily responsible for proactive initiatives, and investigation of domestic and international terrorism issues as well as crime scene response and investigation of terrorist acts in Colorado and Wyoming. However, JTTF personnel are available for deployment to assist in Counterterrorism crime scene processing and investigation throughout the United States and overseas. The JTTF is comprised of Denver FBI Special Agents, FBI support staff, as well as the following full time agencies:

• Denver Police Department

• Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office

• Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

• Aurora Police Department

• Colorado State Patrol

• U.S. Immigration Customs and Enhancement Service

• U.S. Secret Service

• U.S. State Department/Diplomatic Security Service

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

• Douglas County Sheriff's Office

• Colorado Bureau of Investigation

• Internal Revenue Service

• Federal Air Marshal Service

• U.S. Marshal's Service

• Defense Intelligence Agency

• Air Force Office of Special Investigations

• U.S. Department of Agriculture

• U.S. Army

• Defense Investigative Services Agency

• Central Intelligence Agency

Additionally, Denver JTTF's International Terrorism directed activities receive support and assistance from other U.S. Intelligence Community members.

Denver's JTTF is one of 57 FBI JTTF programs in field offices nationwide. By bringing together local, state and federal agencies under the FBI's JTTF concept, the FBI can more fully investigate these crimes. Task Force members regularly meet with other law enforcement agencies as well as other interested groups to discuss the concerns and commitments of the JTTF. For further information about the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP) or JTTF, please contact Denver FBI at telephone number (303) 629-7171, attention Squad 5 for Domestic Terrorism inquiries or Squad 14 for International Terrorism, Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, FCI, or NIPCIP inquiries.