“For me, this Life is Worthless”– on Motives for Jihadist Offences

Abstract

Jihadist terrorism is a threat to (inter)national security, but knowledge about the motives of the perpetrators is limited. In this study, the motives of jihadist-motivated offenders convicted under German criminal law on terrorism were examined using qualitative content analysis of criminal case files. In the case of N = 53 convicts, motives for committing the offense(s) could be determined for 51 persons. The motives are assigned to six categories: (1) self-centered, personal motives, (2) attitude-related and ideological motives, (3) social motives, (4) organizational motives, (5) fear- and coercion-driven motives and (6) command and request. In addition to motives for committing acts of terrorism, motives for maintaining terrorist acts are also described. There are usually several interrelated motives for individual criminal acts. They can vary in intensity and their significance can change over time. Further results as well as limitations and characteristics of the method are discussed.