What the Law Calls Terrorist Activity

This thread follows the statute from specified violent acts to threats and conspiracies that can also qualify under the definition.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Transport Sabotage

Transport Sabotage Specified conduct The definition includes hijacking or sabotage of transportation, including aircraft, ships, and vehicles. Concrete examples By naming familiar forms of transport, the statute sets out conduct that can qualify without relying on an abstract label alone.

Coercive Kidnapping

Coercive Kidnapping Threats used as leverage Kidnapping or detention qualifies when threats to kill, injure, or continue holding a person are used to compel a third party or government. Conditional release The demanded action or inaction is tied explicitly or implicitly to the captive's release.

Protected Persons and Murder

Protected Persons and Murder International protection Violent attacks on internationally protected persons, or violations of their liberty, are included. Assassination The statute separately names assassination, making lethal political violence a defined category of terrorist activity.

Weapons and Explosives

Weapons and Explosives Dangerous means The definition includes biological, chemical, and nuclear agents or devices, as well as explosives and firearms used with dangerous intent. Intent and harm The provision focuses on endangering people directly or indirectly or causing substantial property damage, with a stated exception for certain personal theft.

Threats and Conspiracies

Threats and Conspiracies Beyond completed attacks Threatening, attempting, or conspiring to commit the listed acts can also qualify. Prevention in the legal frame The definition reaches plans and preparatory conduct, not only violence that has already occurred.

At the beginning of the statutory definition

As the definition moves to hostage-taking

During the middle clauses of the definition

As the definition specifies methods of attack

At the close of the list of qualifying acts