anti-terrorist unit operating doubles – Daily News – Lisbon

A permanent structure will coordinate the strategy of fighting terrorism

Nine representatives of the police and intelligence services will strengthen the Anti-Terrorist Coordination Unit (UCAT), forming a permanent structure chaired by the secretary general of the Internal Security System (SSI). These nine experts, SSI, the Information System of the Portuguese Republic (SIRP), the Security Information Service (SIED) Defence Strategic Intelligence Service (SIED), PJ, PSP, GNR, SEF and the Maritime Police, joins the operations of these nine bodies have met weekly to exchange information. Will thus be 18 specialized elements dedicated to terrorism analysis in SSI.

According to the rules of UCAT approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, this designated “technical team” will contribute to ” ensure and enhance the sharing of information, ensure to develop coordination of plans and actions foreseen in the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism; ensure international cooperation plan, the articulation and coordination on the network of contact points for the various intervention areas on terrorism. ” This “technical team”, knows the DN, will only be highlighted at all times, 24 hours day / 7 days a week, in crisis situations. One of the problems posed with their continuous maintenance was the need to recruit four to five people for each service in order to be guaranteed every turn.

“With this regulatory decree which is aimed at strengthening operational support to this structure, which already exists, works and brings together all the forces and security services, “said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Constance Sousa Urban, at the press conference after the Council of Ministers.

“the UCAT already existed informally worked in sharing information, but at this point what you want is to institutionalize and give substance to a structure, to continue this activity, but permanently reinforced and another level of training, not only for the collection and sharing of information, as well as the level of implementation of monitoring of the various plans that exist in the fight against terrorism, “the Justice Minister Frances Van Dunem.

official stressed that this increase has to do with being concerned “a possible specific terrorist attack on Portugal,” after entering in contradiction with the Director of SIS that Thursday confirmed to DN has been identified a threat daesh against Portugal. Van Dunem said there was “no indication that there is threat.”