Djamel Lounici
Djamel Lounici was born on February 1, 1962, in Belcourt, Algeria. He has been a prominent figure in the sphere of Islamist terrorism, particularly linked to radical fundamentalist movements originating from Algeria. Over the years, Lounici has been implicated in numerous criminal activities aimed at supporting and advancing the agenda of international terrorism, specifically targeting the Algerian government and its people.
Lounici was charged under Article 270 bis of the Italian Penal Code for his role in forming and organizing an association with the intent of committing acts of international terrorism. His activities were tied to the radical Islamist movements in Algeria, and he was accused of promoting, financing, and providing both moral and material support to terrorist acts. His cell in Milan, which he led, provided financial and logistical aid to Algerian militants, even while publicly feigning support for the Algerian government’s “National Reconciliation” project. Notably, his cell was connected to two terrorist attacks in Algeria: one in Lounici on January 3, 2005, and another in Chlef on March 27, 2005.
Operating from Milan, Lounici acted as a key coordinator for the radical network. He maintained close ties with Ali Belhaj, the leader of the Algerian Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), who resided in Qatar. Lounici was also involved in secret negotiations with an Algerian government official for a potential return to Algeria, mirroring similar arrangements achieved in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Lounici played a strategic role in a media offensive in the Algerian press, aiming to persuade the public of the existence of a political opposition to the government that was supposedly distinct from the violent armed groups.
Lounici’s criminal history includes multiple arrests across Europe — Germany, Switzerland, and Italy — dating back to the early 1990s. He was first arrested in 1991 but released, only to evade capture again following the military coup in Algeria in 1992. His fear of surveillance emerged in later wiretaps, where he expressed concerns about being intercepted. His involvement in logistical support networks for Islamist terrorism in Algeria became evident through the “Moschea” investigation, conducted between 1994 and 1995 by the Naples Public Prosecutor’s Office, which revealed a significant arm trafficking network benefiting extremist groups.
As the leader of the Milan cell, Lounici ideologically indoctrinated his associates and issued orders for carrying out the group’s objectives. These included securing false documents, recruiting new members, raising funds, and procuring arms, often in collaboration with transnational criminal networks. His network also engaged in legal and financial assistance to immigrants, an additional layer to their broader pro-terrorism agenda.
In addition to his role as a terrorist leader, Lounici was convicted for document forgery. In collaboration with other associates, he orchestrated the creation of false residence permits, notably using counterfeit seals. One such case involved the forgery of a permit for the wife of a co-conspirator, for which Lounici arranged payment.
Lounici Djamel’s network extended across multiple European countries, including Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. His cell, which was closely associated with the GIA (Armed Islamic Group) and later the SGPC (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat), facilitated the transfer of funds from cities in Italy to Algeria. These funds supported jihadi fighters, and his operations utilized a transportation route from Naples to Marseille. Additionally, Lounici’s network produced and distributed propaganda materials designed to incite and prepare for jihad among Muslim communities in Italy.
The investigation revealed that part of Lounici’s organization favored negotiations with the Algerian authorities, particularly around the government’s offer of amnesty for outlawed militant groups. However, a more hardline faction, including Lounici’s Milan cell, staunchly rejected any form of compromise, maintaining their commitment to violent extremism and the pursuit of radical Islamist objectives.
The Prosecutor’s Office recommended an 8-year prison sentence for Lounici, taking into account the aggravating circumstances of his leadership role within the terrorist organization. In 2002, the Naples Court of Assizes sentenced him to 2 years in prison, with an additional 6 months for his involvement in document forgery, as per the provisions of Articles 477 and 482 of the Italian Penal Code.
