Chief of National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Matthew F. Blue, recently delivered remarks at the EU Network Meeting on Battlefield Evidence in The Hague. Blue expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss EU and U.S. cooperation on the sharing and utilization of battlefield evidence (BE) and collected exploitable material.
Blue highlighted the importance of collaboration in protecting communities, stating, "Like the organizations you all represent, the primary mission of the Department of Justice, and in particular the office I represent, is to protect the people we serve." He emphasized the significance of collecting, analyzing, and cataloguing evidence left behind by foreign fighters, which can be crucial for prosecutors and investigators.
Acknowledging the extensive volume of collected exploitable material and battlefield evidence, Blue stressed the importance of sharing this information with partners around the world. He noted, "Sharing is our main goal," and highlighted the success stories of using such evidence to prosecute foreign fighters.
Blue cited specific cases where battlefield evidence played a pivotal role in securing convictions, such as the cases of Emraan Ali and Allison Fluke-Ekren. In these instances, evidence collected by U.S. authorities, including logbooks and hard drives, provided key details about the individuals' involvement with terrorist organizations, leading to successful prosecutions.
In closing, Blue expressed his enthusiasm for the conference as an opportunity to further demonstrate the value of battlefield evidence and support partners in seeking justice and ensuring community safety. He thanked attendees for their dedication to the shared mission of combating terrorism and safeguarding communities from foreign fighters.
The remarks delivered by Matthew F. Blue underscore the critical role of battlefield evidence in prosecuting individuals involved in terrorist activities and emphasize the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security threats.