Inciting, recruiting and training for terrorism on the internet will be made a criminal offence, punishable by minimum sentences throughout the European Union under new proposals, according to Reuters.The European Commission will propose expanded EU legislation to fight what it says is growing use of the internet as a "virtual training camp" for terrorists as part of a package of measures. It is likely that the measures could be approved within days.
Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini proposes creating an EU offence of "public provocation to commit a terrorist offence", that would apply to incitement even if it did not lead to an actual attack.
The report comes at a time when British intelligence services are warning that there are at least 2,000 people in the UK who pose a threat to national security because of their support for terrorism, the head of MI5 has said. This represents a 20% rise since 2006.
