In Focus Armed Violence Monitor – Explosives-related Incidents in South East Europe in 2020 is Released

The latest issue of the SEESAC’s In Focus Armed Violence Monitor features explosives-related incidents in South East Europe (SEE) in 2020.

The use of explosives can have severe consequences in terms of peoples’ lives, public security, property damage and environmental impact. Therefore, by addressing explosives-related incidents in the region, SEESAC aims to raise awareness of the threats associated with this potent type of weapon.

The main highlights from this issue include:

  • 424 explosives-related incidents were reported in SEE in 2020, among which were 306 seizures of explosives.
  • In 199 cases citizens reported that they had found explosives by accident.
  • Large quantities of pyrotechnic devices were seized in 32 cases, mainly in December.
  • A total of 106 hand grenades were seized in raids by law enforcement agencies.
  • 52 explosions occurred under undetermined circumstances.
  • The use of explosives was reported in 25 incidents in the criminal context.
  • 11 accidental explosions were reported.
  • 280 persons were reported as perpetrators in explosives-related incidents. Of those whose sex was reported, 157 were men and six were women.
  • Out of 55 victims, 39 were men, and ten were women, when the sex was specified. Five persons died, 20 were injured, and nine were threatened in explosives-related incidents. Ten persons died by suicide using explosives.
  • Explosives-related incidents in urban areas (297 or 63.3.1%) outnumbered those in rural areas (127 or 29.9%).

To read the whole report, please click here.

About the Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP)

The Armed Violence Monitoring Platform (AVMP) has been established by SEESAC with EU funding within the framework of EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2356 and is currently supported through EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111, in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe.

The AVMP captures data on firearm-related incidents happening in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo* and the Republic of Moldova. 

The data is gathered daily from the relevant authorities' official websites, as well as print and online media.  The collected data range from the type of incident, firearms used, age and gender of the victim and the perpetrator, outcome of the incident. etc. Basic data analysis is also provided for various data sets aiming to discover trends related to the incidents. Quality assurance is conducted rigorously by SEESAC. The platform has seen significant improvements in recent years in terms of data collection and categorization. 

The purpose of the AVMP is to make essential data available to all interested parties working on small arms and light weapons control. The AVMP can serve as an informative tool for interventions with the overarching goal of a more effective response on arms control and the reduction of their negative impact on civilians.

*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

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