White supremacist group operating via Telegram busted in US
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced charges against Dallas Humber and Matthew Allison, leaders of the 'Terrorgram Collective.' This white supremacist group is accused of planning a global campaign of racially motivated violence via Telegram. The duo allegedly incited acts of terrorism, provided bomb-making instructions, and glorified attacks targeting racial minorities and government officials.
Prosecutors detail extremist content spread by accused
US prosecutors say Humber (34) lives in Elk Grove, California, while Allison (37) is from Boise, Idaho. Their content is allegedly intended to incite hate crimes and assassinations and promote societal collapse to instigate a race war. This case underscores the growing threat posed by extremist groups, exploiting internet platforms like Telegram to disseminate white supremacist propaganda and encourage violent acts.
Spotlight on Telegram's role in hosting hate groups
The case against Humber and Allison has brought attention to the role of Telegram in hosting hate groups. The messaging platform, known for its privacy and encryption features, is facing scrutiny over its moderation challenges. This development follows the recent detention of Telegram's founder Pavel Durov in France on charges linked to the platform's use for criminal activities.
Unveiling the 'Terrorgram Collective' and its ideology
The 'Terrorgram Collective' originated on Telegram. Humber and Allison assumed leadership of the group in 2022, following investigations into previous leaders. The collective's ideology revolves around white supremacist accelerationism, advocating societal collapse and racial war to establish a white ethnostate. They operate through private, encrypted channels on Telegram, enabling them to spread their ideology undetected.
US Attorney General's stern warning to hate groups
US Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a stern warning following the indictment, stating, "Today's arrests are a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you, and soliciting terrorist attacks from behind a screen will not protect you. "The United States Department of Justice will find you, and we will hold you accountable," he added.
Terrorgram Collective's global influence
The 'Terrorgram Collective' uses multiple Telegram channels to distribute content promoting violent action. Their influence extends beyond the US, inspiring attacks across Europe and even in Turkey.
Collective encourages violence, provides bomb-making instructions
Court documents have disclosed how Humber and Allison encouraged followers with slogans like "Take Action Now" and "Do your part, prompting them to carry out acts of violence. In one instance, a follower reportedly used their guidance to plan an attack on an energy facility in New Jersey. The collective also created a 24-minute documentary celebrating acts of violence by white supremacists.
A look at their documents
The authorities have described the collective as a "hub" for racially motivated violence, with its members encouraged to become "Saints" via terror activities. One of their documents, 'The Hard Reset', offers steps for making explosives, while another, 'The List', identifies targets for assassination, including prominent figures and government officials. Humber and Allison had allegedly compiled a hit list featuring a US senator, a former US attorney, a federal district judge, and other persons seen as enemies of white supremacy.
