Organized crime

Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security (DANS) in cooperation with Europol and German and Dutch law enforcement authorities arrested five people suspected of human trafficking on Wednesday.

The suspects are alleged members of a pan-European criminal network dealing with illegal immigration, false documents, counterfeit money and drugs.

Romania's appeals court on Tuesday jailed former economy minister Codrut Seres and former communications minister Zsolt Nagy for their roles in a transnational crime group involved in the privatisation of several companies.

The case was seen as a test of Romania's ability to conduct high-level corruption trials.

Bulgaria has achieved limited progress in the judiciary, the forthcoming EU Commission report on the country says according to media reports.

Balkan citizens, officials condemn terrorism

Citizens and activists strongly condemn acts of terrorism that are creating a fear of Muslims in the region.

Hooded gunmen stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine known for lampooning radical Islam, killing 12 people. [AFP]

US Attorney General Eric Holder said Jan. 11 there was no "credible information" as yet that Al-Qaeda was behind the attacks in France that have killed 17 people.
      

An Islamist militant considered one of the main recruiters of foreigners to the jihadist fight against government forces in Syria was convicted in absentia to three years in prison in France on Jan. 7.

The war in Afghanistan came to a formal end on Dec. 28, 2014, with a flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul. The symbolic act, which was held under heavy security measures due to threats of an attack, marked the conclusion of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom and the start of Operation Resolute Support.

Turkey has lost some $350 billion directly and $1 trillion indirectly over the last 30-40 years due to terrorism and its spillover effects, said Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek on Dec. 26.

Exposure to Western culture since 2001 has transformed Afghanistan's previously isolated society, and a love of tattoos has taken hold - despite inking parlours being illegal.

Under the Taliban's tough 1996-2001 regime, personal fashion statements were outlawed and police squads patrolled the streets looking for men who had beards that were too short or hair that was too long.

A Taliban massacre at a school is "Pakistan's 9/11", the country's top foreign policy official told AFP Friday, saying the assault that left 149 dead would change the country's approach to fighting terror.