Romanian Intelligence Service’s guide on how and when to report a possible terrorist threat

The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) has published on its Facebook page some recommendations for people who plan to travel by plane. The Facebook post also sends readers to a guide on the institution’s website, which includes a section on how people can report a possible terrorist risk. In the Facebook post, the SRI recommends airport passengers to announce immediately the airport security staff if they see any suspicious thing. Moreover, they should never agree to carry or supervise luggage that doesn’t belong to them. At the same time, they shouldn’t forget to supervise their luggage. In case of incidents, the passengers are advised to remain calm and follow the security personnel’s instructions. In a guide published on SRI’s website, the institution also explains to people when and how they should report a possible terrorist threat. For example, people should notify the authorities if they know that someone is interested in procuring substances which could be used for terrorist purposes (explosives, poison, etc.), if they see or have knowledge of actions aimed at disturbing the proper functioning of important institutions/premises, or if they see or know people who illegally manufacture, hold, carry or handle weapons, ammunition, or substances that could be used for terrorist purposes. People should also alert the authorities if they notice unauthorized persons taking photos or spending too much time near foreign diplomatic missions, offices of international institutions, or any other such location. A car parked near such places for a long time should also be reported. Other situations in which people should notify the authorities also include: people who persistently study crowded places (such as train and metro stations, airports, large shopping centers, tourist and cultural objectives), or people who are very interested in knowing more information about the opening hours of institutions, the moment of the day when the place is very crowded, the moment when the security guards change shifts, and so on. People can report suspicious actions at the free number 0800 800 100. SRI’s guide comes after the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, which killed more than 30 people in the Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station. Four Romanians were also injured in the attacks. Man tries to raise awareness on possible terrorist attacks in Romania by crashing into the Government’s fence Three times more Romanians reported possible terrorist activities in 2015 Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (Photo source: Serviciul Roman de Informatii on Facebook)