RADICAL SHIA TERRORISM IN WESTERN EUROPE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87T00434R000200150027-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: July 31, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/29: CIA-RDP87T00434R000200150027-1
I
Central Intelligerxe Agency
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
31 July 1985
Radical Shia Terrorism in Western Europe
Terrorist activity by Iranian agents or Iranian-backed
radical Shia groups in Western Europe has escalated since the
beginning of 1984. Pro-Iranian terrorists. have been involved in
at least nine attacks in Western Europe over the past year and a
half, and in several cases, attacks never moved beyond the
planning stage or were stymied by European security services.
The evidence indicates that operational planning by terrorists
has been increasing and that the radical Shias have developed an
independent operating capability in Europe. We judge that
radical Shia activity in Western Europe will continue to present
a serious threat to US interests there.
Since early 1984, Iranian-backed terrorists have conducted
attacks in several West European countries:
o On 7 February 1984, General Oveisi, the Shah's former
martial law administrator, and his brother were shot
dead in Paris, France. An anonymous caller claimed
responsibility for the attack in the name of "Islamic
Jihad"--a cover name used by several pro-Iranian
terrorist elements. Iranian intelligence agents
probably conducted this attack.
o On 12 May 1984, a car laden with explosives detonated
near an Iraqi Airways ticket office in Nicosia,
Cyprus. Iraqi dissident groups supported by Iran
claimed credit.
o On 31 July 1984, three radical Lebanese Shias hijacked
an Air France plane flying from Frankfurt to Paris and
diverted it to Tehran. Iranian officials reportedly
furnished the hijackers with weapons in Tehran.
25X1
V1
This memorandum was prepared by Terrorism Analysis 25X1
Branch, Terrorism/Narcotics Analysis Division, Office of Global
Issues.
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Rel
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/29: CIA-RDP87T00434R000200150027-1
o On 6 August 1984, a lone gunman attacked a Kuwaiti
businessman in a Spanish resort town, killing the
businessman's driver. In September, a Saudi engineer
was assassinated in the same town. "Islamic Jihad"
callers claimed credit for both attacks.
o On 3 December 1984, bombs were found under the cars of
four Iraqi diplomats in Athens, Greece. A Greek bomb
disposal expert was killed trying to defuse one of the
bombs. An Iranian-backed Iraqi opposition group
claimed credit.
Aborted operations included:
o A planned hijacking of a Saudi airliner in Madrid that
was uncovered by Spanish police in July 1984. Four
Iranians were arrested.
o A plot by seven radical Lebanese Shias in Italy to
attack the US Embassy in Rome. Italian Dolice
arrested the seven last November.
We do not have the information needed to assess in depth the
support structure in Europe that facilitates radical Shia
terrorist operations there. The evidence suggests that Iranian
agents or Shia operatives travel to Europe from the Middle East
in order to conduct specific attacks. In addition, however, many
European countries contain sizable communities of immigrant Shias
who can be used to support or conduct terrorist attacks.
indicates that Iranian diplomatic
personnei ana aci i ies in Europe also are involved in
coordinating and providing logistical support for terrorist
operations. At least one official at the Iranian Embassy in
Madrid was involved in the plan to hijack the Saudi airliner last
summer and the seven Shias arrested in Italy last November were
to use explosives stored at the Iranian Embassy in Rome. The
Ministry of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is heavily involved
with terrorist groups, and Guard members are assigned to most
Iran also supports several cultural institutions and pro-
Khomeini student associations in Western Europe, particularly in
Italy, West Germany, Spain, and France. These institutions
spread pro-Iranian propaganda among the Shias living or studying
in Europe and may also be involved in recruitina or herwise
supporting terrorist operations.
The available evidence indicates, however, that Iran was not
involved in planning or conducting the TWA hijacking that was
staged in Greece last month. That operation demonstrated that
the radical Shias have developed an independent capability to
conduct terrorist attacks in Europe, makin them threat to US interests there. 7
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/29: CIA-RDP87T00434R000200150027-1