Story perspectives

EU warns rising youth extremism, links 4,340 URLs to “The COM”

9/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter warned violent extremism is rising among European youth.
Investigators from nine EU countries identified about 4,340 URLs linked to “The COM” in June-July.
Europol recorded 45 terrorist attacks in 10 EU states last year, killing six and arresting 486 suspects.
One-third of those arrests were under 18, mostly boys.
Finland and Italy teen stabbings and a planned murder illustrate youths seeking online notoriety.

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Story summary

EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter warned violent extremism is rising among European youth.
Investigators from nine EU countries identified about 4,340 URLs linked to “The COM” in June-July.
Europol recorded 45 terrorist attacks in 10 EU states last year, killing six and arresting 486 suspects.
One-third of those arrests were under 18, mostly boys.
Finland and Italy teen stabbings and a planned murder illustrate youths seeking online notoriety.