The killing of Senad Ramović, a teacher and spiritual leader of militant Islamists in Novi Pazar, who died in a confrontation with Serbian police, could signal the end, but also the beginning of a new chapter in Wahhabi activities in the region. We discuss with Irfan Peci, the most cited expert on terrorism and one of the most wanted figures of the Islamic State—a man who has journeyed from being a member of the jihadist movement to becoming an agent for the German intelligence service tasked with dismantling terrorist networks—whether we can expect a response from his followers and if there are Wahhabis in Serbia ready to replicate the “feat” of Ramović’s student, Salahudin, we spoke with Irfan Peci, the most cited expert on terrorism and one of the most wanted figures by the Islamic State—a man who transitioned from being a member of the jihadist movement to becoming an agent of the German intelligence service tasked with dismantling terrorist networks. Our interviewee’s name recently made headlines again in the German media when Tarik S., a member of the Islamic State who was arrested for planning a terrorist attack in Germany, confessed that Irfan Peci was on the list of targets marked for assassination.

Wahhabi underground doesn’t sleep. How justified are suspicions that retaliation could follow after the leader’s death?
It would be incorrect to say that Senad Ramović was the leader of the entire Wahhabi movement in Sandžak, as there are several different groups without a single control center. The Wahhabis in the circle gathered by Senad Ramović refer to themselves as Takfiris, and it can be said that they respected him as an authority. Although Senad was not the main figure in the mosque or the jamaat in Novi Pazar, he was one of the first-ring preachers of Wahhabism. Regarding the impact of his death, it is undoubtedly significant, but I do not expect a spectacular uprising—given that Senad was the first to pull the trigger on the police. I assume that after his death, the story emphasizing the fact that a Serbian police officer killed him might gain momentum. This could become a focal point and a rallying cry for young Wahhabis eager to emulate the fate of martyrs.
Is it perhaps time to hold accountable the ideological “partners” of Senad Rašeić from the Islamic Community who silently supported his activities?
This is where the snake lies in the grass. I have repeatedly warned about the activities of Sandžak’s mufti, Abdurahman Kujović, a graduate of prestigious schools in Saudi Arabia and a fanatical advocate of establishing the Islamic State caliphate. The mufti maintained close ties with the slain Ramović and openly called for the shedding of martyrs’ blood. He is not an isolated case. There are radical elements within the Islamic Community, as well as those who followed Senad Ramović’s teachings with sympathy and respect. Some individuals from the SDA in Tutin followed his posts on Facebook and liked them. It would be easy to unravel the web of these connections if there were a genuine will, but at this moment, I don’t think events will unfold in that direction.
How many people, in your estimation, are willing to replicate the “martyr’s feat” like Žujović, a follower of Senad Ramović?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of Wahhabi sleepers. This is information that even states and intelligence services do not have. In my estimation, there are currently 20 to 30 radical Islamists in Serbia who are ready to repeat Žujović’s “feat” at some point. Making an accurate assessment of an individual’s readiness for a terrorist attack is not always possible. Often, an event serves as a trigger, such as the death of a family member or disappointment in community relations. The motto “I have nothing to lose” is the only sure entry ticket to carrying out a terrorist act. This fact poses the greatest danger because no one can predict with certainty when one of the sleepers will decide to embark on a bloody rampage. If such an individual does not attend a mosque or other Wahhabi gathering places, it is impossible for the services to track the sequence of events as it is dictated by his thought process. After all, Žujović was recognized as a radical Islamist, but the services simply did not have the capacity to conduct round-the-clock surveillance on him, just as German services have information on 500 potential terrorists, but that does not mean they will be successful in preventing terrorist acts.
Do Ramović’s ties with Wahhabis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo complicate the detection of Islamist cells?
We are dealing with the same Wahhabi milieu. In the same way, Wahhabis in Germany coordinate with those in Austria and Switzerland. Wahhabis do not recognize state and national borders.
Does the case of Tarik S., an “exemplary” participant in the de-Islamization program organized by the German Ministry, indicate that the new wave of jihadists is trained to skillfully infiltrate society, making it difficult to distinguish between a believer and a potential terrorist?
There are many radical Islamists or returnees from Syria who, after being imprisoned, supposedly realize their mistakes, accept the de-Islamization program, only to return to their teachings and dangerous environments upon release. Tarik is one of them. Thanks to the unprofessional work of German officials, this seasoned Islamist was immediately engaged in planning a terrorist attack at a rally in support of Jews after being released. There are also those who genuinely want to change their lives, but distinguishing between these two groups is often impossible.

The material in possession of Alternative for Germany speaks of serious and unpunished violations within the migrant community in this country. What risks does Europe face due to the open-door policy?
Alternative has shed light on a dark and unpopular topic in the German press—the most horrific and unpunished crimes committed by terrorists and war criminals within migrant groups. This is the result of the open-door policy. Politicians turn a blind eye to terrorist attacks, the spread of ideology, the role of mosques where other Muslims are radicalized, crime, and rapes… It is mostly about people who came to Germany in 2015, only to begin planning terrorist actions years later, after observing the terrain, legal regulations, and the protection system.