Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have been added to the Financial Intelligence Unit’s list of countries with a higher risk of terrorist financing, as risks associated with Central Asia have resurfaced due to the activities of terrorist organizations.
Laura Aus, Deputy Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit: "Most notably, the United Arab Emirates remains on the list of countries with a higher risk of terrorist financing. Although it is no longer on the FATF’s 'grey list,' it has now been added to the European Union’s list of high-risk third countries, considering the international context of countering money laundering and terrorist financing."
The approach of high-risk countries is primarily aimed at targeting Islamic extremism. In contrast, with other forms of violent extremism, such as violent left- or right-wing extremism, the connection to a high-risk country does not play a role; only suspicions of terrorist financing are relevant.
A higher risk of terrorist financing does not mean that a specific country is financing terrorism, it indicates a potential risk that could materialize under certain circumstances.
The list of countries with a higher risk of terrorist financing is compiled in cooperation with the Estonian Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet). The list is reviewed annually and updated as necessary.
