APPREHENDED

  • Full name: Semir Mujovic
  • Pseudonym: N/a
  • Alternatives: N/a
  • Location: Belgium
  • Affiliation: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh]

Semir Mujovic (°ca 1996) is a Serbian Islamist militant based in the Belgian town of Zonhoven. His family came to Belgium as refugees in 1999.1 Although his parents had integrated well into society, Mujovic became attracted to jihad in 2014.2 He began assisting people affiliated with the public relations wing of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq wal ash-Sham].3 Mujovic and his sister translated texts for the Bosnian editions of the Dabiq magazine.4 At the same time, he began to plot attacks in Belgium.5 In December 2016, Mujovic was arrested while he was on a reconnaissance mission in the shopping district of Hasselt.6 Subsequent police investigations revealed his involvement with the DaIISh. The authorities also learned that Mujovic had been planning to join the organization in Syria.7

Following his arrest, Mujovic spent time at a psychological care center. On Jun. 12, 2017, he was arrested at the facility after making statements in support of the DaIISh and researching bomb-making on the internet.8 An associate of African descent was arrested shortly afterwards in Antwerp.9 On Jun. 23, 2017, Mujovic and his sister were sentenced to a three-year prison term for their DaIISh membership and the production of propaganda materials.10

Mujovic was released from prison in January 2018.11 He immediately reached out to people affiliated to the DaIISh and started making plans to attack a sex club in Amsterdam.12 Dutch intelligence services learned of the plot and Belgian police arrested him in Antwerp on Apr. 14, 2018.13 In January 2019, a court sentenced Mujovic to five years in prison.14

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