KidnappingHijacking

Taking hostagesCaptivity

(Psychological aspects)

Štěpán VymětalVyškov, Czech Republic 06/25/2009

2

Captivity of civilians as hostages is an international crime!

Additional relevant crimes are: Terrorist attack Hijackning Kidnapping Stealing children Abduction Taking hostages Illegal restraint Blackmail/Extortion…

2

3

Who can become hostage?

IndividualGroup of peopleOrganisation/communitySociety (terrorism)

Offenders often demonstrate that government is unable to help own citizens!

3

4

Types of CasesStealing of children (extortion of „rich“ parents, conflict in

family…)Kidnap or taking adult hostages

(political or economical reason)Taking hostages during unsuccessful criminal act

(bank/shop robbery, jail-break)Escalation of domestic violenceSectarian violenceHijacking (plane, ship, bus, train, car)Suicidal terrorism

4

5

Air France hijacking

AF flight (220 passangers, 12 crew) was hijacked on 24 December 1994 by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) at Algiers, where they killed 3 passengers.

The aircraft riched Maarseilles on Dec. 26. French special forces stormed and killed all 4 hijackers in 20-min.

gun battle. 166 passengers and crew survived. One of the most successful anti-terorist operations in history.

5

6

Offenders

• Psychopatic personality (often cold, felonious motivation, absence of empathy)

• Mental ill (psychosis) • Drug users• Fanatics• „Common“ criminals• „Normal“ people in crisis

+ combinations6

7

Motivation Economical (ransom) Political or ideological

(army pullout, release of prisoners, independency) Escape way Revenge (self-destroing) Solving of crisis interpersonal situation

(stealing of children, rejected partner, divorce) Psychopatological (irrational/dark/incomprehensible) Mimicking behavior

+ combinations

7

8

Feelings of hostage: stages1) Impact (mental denial, feeling of unreality, then mental and physical

tense and anxiety)2) Definition of situation and partial calm (interpretation of situation,

adjusting to „rules of game“, belief that everything will be solved soon)3) Disillusion (waiting, lack of information)4) Resignation (mental exhaustion, resignation to fate, apathy)5) Receiving of rescue (new impact/extrem stress, confused reactions,

ambivalence, high anxiety, flooding of emotions)6) Acute Stress Reaction (variation in emotions, euphory, depression,

anxiety, irritation, sleep disturbances, flashbacks…)7) Processing of traumatic experience (long term, specific psychological

support is often needed)

8

9

Captivity in Columbia

Ingrid Betancourt a Colombian-French politician was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Feb. 2002.

She was rescued by Colombian security forces six and a half years later on July 2008.

Rescued along with 14 other hostages (incl. 3 Americans and 11 Colombian policemen and soldiers)

Experience of captivity in FARC camps Isolation, separation in jungle No one was harmed during the rescue!

9

10

ExperienceStrong emotional and/or physical reactions can

appear some time after traumatic eventPeople have different level of specific resiliency

and recovery (it depends on social support, physical health, coping strategies, trauma exposition…)

Acute Stress Reaction is vital reaction of human being. No matter how strange or insane it looks, it is a normal reaction to abnormal situation!

10

11

Many specific factors

Each kidnapping and captivity is specific.Many factors play a role in coping:- Number and kind of hostages- Organisation and kind of offenders- Motivation of crime, aims- Time- Life conditions- Character of crisis negotiation and of the storm- etc

11

12

Experience of hostages Feeling of fear and total dependence on offender dominates Loss of control over one's own life Contact with persisting danger Extreme stress situation Deprivation of basic needs Psychological and physical pressure, threats Forced to suffer or to do things in contravention of one's

own personality, will and morality Facing up to violence, harassment, excruciation, degradation,

dehumanisation…

12

13

Munich massacre

The Munich massacre occurred during the Summer Olypics in West Germany, 1972.

Members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually murdered by Black September, a militant group with ties to Fatah organization.

13

1414

By the end of the ordeal, the terrorist group had killed 11 Israeli athlets and coaches and 1 German police officer.

Five of the eight members of Black September were killed during an abortive rescue attempt.

The three surviving terrorists were captured, and were later released by West Germany following the hijacking by Black September of a Lufthansa airliner.

15

Stockholm syndrom

• Stockholm syndrome is a specific emotional response of hostages.

• The hostage shows positive feelings and signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger or risk in which they have been placed.

• It is possible reaction, not necessary!• It can be based on unconcious process or rational

behavior.• It is life protective stay, supported by negotiators.

15

16

Stockholm bank roberry

The syndrome was named after the robbery of Kreditbanken in Stockholm in 1973.

4 hostages + 2 offenders, 6 days in strong-room. Victims became emotionally attached to their captors. Defended them after were freed.

16

17

1980

In one year (1980) 42 embassies and diplomatic missions were seized worldwide by terrorists and radicals:

22 ambassadors were taken hostage5 embassies were destroyed53 people were killed in embassy shoot-outs (not include US embassy in Teheran)

17

18

Iran hostage crisis Was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the USA Group of Islamist students and militants took over the

American embassy in Teheran Motivation: support of the Iranian Revolution 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days

(Nov.1979 - Jan.1981)

Main stressors: homesickness, boredom, confinement„Forcing grown men to live together in a small space day and

night, month after month, is a form of slow torture“18

19

It was seen as a violance of a centuries-old principle of international law granting

diplomats immunity from arrest and diplomatic sovereignty in their embassies

19

20

Iranian Embassy Siege

On April 30th, 1980 the group of 6 armed Arab separatists stormed the Iranian Embassy in London (political motivation).

26 hostahes were taken (including one police constable and two visiting journalists).

5 hostages were released On day 6 the terrorists killed 1 hostage (press attaché) and threw his

body outside. News teams were camped outside the embassy. The siege was ended by British special forces. 19 hostages saved.20

21

Lima SyndromLima syndrome is a situation in which

abductors develop a sympathy for their hostages. It is the inverse of the Stockholm syndrom.

Syndrome was named after an abduction at the Japanese Embassy in Lima, Peru in 1996.

Within a few days, the abductors had set free most of the hostages, including the most valuable ones, due to sympathy.

21

22

Japanese embassy hostage crisis

14 members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement took hostage more than 600 of high-level diplomats, government and military officials and business executive who were attending a party at the official residence of Japan´s ambassador.

The motivation was political. Most of the hostages were soon released.72 were freed after 126 days by Special forces.

22

23

Storm the residence1 hostage, 2 commandos and all 14 abductors died.

• All abductors were killed

23

24

Worst-case: Beslan

24

25

Beslan massacre - Day 1

September 1st, 2004, School no. 1, Beslan, North Ossetia, RF 32 armed terrorists (muslim pro-Chechen rebels) took more

then 1200 people (about 800 were children) Hostages were concentrated in gym with explosive materials Male hostiges and women-terorists were executed

25

26

Day 2 15 small babies with 11 nursing women were released About 5000 relatives waited close to school Lack in negotiation No food and wather for hostages, hot temperature in gym

some hostiges drank own urine, some children are unconscious Hostage-takers: stressed, sleep deprivated, under drugs,

unpredictable

26

27

Day 3 2 explosions in the gym + big fire + shooting A chaotic battle broke out

(many local civilians , local police, special forces, army involved) Terrorists used children as a shields Using of heavy weapons from special forces Chaotic rescue operation A few of ambulances…

27

28

Fatalities and injures Official fatalities:

Hostages 334, Other people 10, Special forces 10+ Hostage-takers 31 (Total 385+)

Official injuries: Security forces 55, Others 728 (Total 783)

Long term psychological impact to community!

28

29

Prevention of kidneppingRisk reduction

30

Worldwide kidnappings

Kidnapping is a real and dangerous threat in many countries.

The only guaranteed way to avoid kidnapping is not to go to risky areas.

Since this is impractical for many travelers, the next best thing is to be aware of the risks!

31

Statistics 2006Absolute number of kidnappings

1) Mexico2) Iraq3) India4) South Africa5) Brazil6) Pakistan7) Ecuador8) Venezuela9) Colombia10) Bangladesh11) Nigeria12) Haiti13) Afganistan…

Estimated number of kidnaps per capita of population

1) Iraq2) Mexico3) The Chechen Republic4) Ecuador5) Brazil6) Haiti7) South Africa8) Trinidad&Tobago9) Colombia10) India…

32

First questions of a hostage:

1.Who are my kidnappers?

2.What do they want?

3.What is my value?

33

Behavior of hostages must be according to the type of

kidnapper/situation

Understand situation!

34

1.Who are my kidnappers? Types of kidnappers:

1.amateurs

2.professionals

3.mentally ill or pathological persons

4.political or religious fanatics

35

2. What do they want?

1) Amateurs and professionals => blackmail b) Mentally ill or pathological persons often

blackmail too, but it is hard to understand them

c) Political or religious fanatics need to impress => highest risk!

36

3.What is my value?

Amateurs and professionals need hostages alive to blackmail

Mentally ill or pathological persons mostly need hostages alive too

Political or religious fanatics need to impress => mostly kill hostages

37

General behavior of a hostage

Watch the mood of the kidnappers

Don’t provoke

Cooperate

Take a time

Don’t panic Tricks how to not panic: watch carefully any detail in the room, play chess in

your mind, remember all your teachers from the high school etc.

In case of political or religious fanatics try to escape

38

Interrogation of a hostage

Know your ID number, have a copy in your email box.

Some tricks Watch carefully some details in the room

Keep the right position of your body

Control your gestures

Drink anytime you can

Reformulate the talks and questions

39

How to survive kidnapping?Kidnapping is a terrifying experience, but you

have personal resources for coping with the situation.

Remember, you are only of value to them alive, and they want to keep you that way.

The common hostage responses: fear, denial, and withdrawal are all experienced in varying degrees.

40

Surviving kidnapping 1The terrorists are nervous and unsure, easily irritated, often

irrational. It is a psychologically traumatic moment for the hostage.

Violence may be used even if the hostage remains passive, but resistance could result in death. You may be blindfolded, drugged, handled roughly, or even stuffed in the trunk of a car.

Try to regain your composure as soon as possible and to organize your thoughts. (Being able to behave rationally increases your chances for survival).

41

Surviving kidnapping 2

The more time that passes, the better your chances of being released alive.

If drugs are administered, do not resist. (Their purpose will be to sedate you and make you more manageable; these same drugs may actually help you to get control of your emotions, which should be your immediate goal. If conscious, follow your captors’ instructions).

If taken hostage, your best defense is passive cooperation!

42

Surviving Hijackings 1 Tips of U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Blend in with the other airline passengers. Avoid eye contact with your captors. Remember there may be other hijackers covertly

mixed among the regular passengers. Although captors may appear calm, they cannot be

trusted to behave reasonably or rationally at all times.

Stay alert, but do not challenge them physically or verbally.

43

Surviving Hijackings 2

Comply with their instructions. If interrogated, keep answers short and limited to

nonpolitical topics. Carry a family photo; at some point you may be

able to appeal to captors' family feelings.Minimize the importance of your job! Give innocuous reasons for traveling. Never admit to any accusations.

44

Surviving Captivity

Try to establish some kind of rapport with your captors. Family is a universal subject.

Avoid political dialogues, but listen attentively to their point of view.

If you know their language, listen and observe; and if addressed, use it.

Maintain your dignity and self-respect at all times.

45

Plan on a lengthy stay, and determine to keep track of the passage of time. (Captors may attempt to confuse your sense of time by taking your watch, keeping you in a windowless cell, or serving meals at odd hours. However, you can approximate time by noting, for example, changes in temperatures between night and day; the frequency and intensity of outside noises—traffic, whistles, birds; and by observing the alertness of guards. )

Manage your time by setting up schedules for simple tasks, exercises, daydreaming, housekeeping.

46

Build relations with fellow captives and with the terrorists.

If hostages are held apart, devise ways to communicate with one another. (Where hostages are moved back and forth, to bathrooms for example, messages can be written and left. However, do not jeopardize your safety or the safety or treatment of others if attempting to communicate with fellow captives seems too risky).

Maintain your physical and mental health; it is critical to exercise body and mind. (Eat food provided without complaint; keep up your strength. Request medical treatment or special medicines if required).

47

Establish exercise and relaxation programs. (Exercise produces a healthy tiredness and gives you a sense of accomplishment. If space is confined, do isometrics. Relaxation reduces stress. Techniques include meditation, prayer, daydreaming. Keep your mind active; read anything available. Write, even if you are not allowed to retain your writings. If materials are not available, mentally compose poetry or fiction, try to recall Scripture, design a house, even “play“ chess or tennis”.

Take note of the characteristics of your captors and surroundings. (Their habits, speech, contacts; exterior noises /typical of city or country/; and other distinctive sounds. This information could prove very valuable later).

48

If selected for early release, consider it an opportunity to help remaining hostages.(Details you have observed on the terrorists and the general situation can assist authorities with a rescue).

You can expect to be accused of working for the government’s intelligence service, to be interrogated extensively, and to lose weight. You may be put in isolation; your captives may try to disorient you. It is important that you mentally maintain control.

49

Avoidance of Capture or Escape Efforts to avoid capture or to attempt escape have in most cases been

futile. The decision, however, is a personal one, although it could affect fellow hostages by placing them in jeopardy. Several other

considerations should be weighed.

To have any chance of success, you should be in excellent physical condition and mentally prepared to react before the terrorists have consolidated their position. This, also, is the riskiest psychological time.

You would need to have a plan in mind, and possibly have been trained in special driving tactics or other survival skills.

50

Consider the consequences of your escape before attempting it (If you are held in a country in which you would stand out because of race or other physical characteristics, if you know nothing of the language or your location, or if you are held in a country where anti-American or anti-Western attitudes prevail)

If you conclude that an escape attempt is worthwhile, take terrorists by surprise and you may make it. (If their organization has a poor track record of hostage safety, it may be worth the risk).

51

Surviving Rescue operationThe termination of any terrorist incident is

extremely tense. During an assault:

Remain calm and out of the way. (Try to be far from windows and doors).

Make no sudden moves (-or take any action by which you could be mistaken for a terrorist and risk being injured or killed. Even in a voluntary release or surrender by the terrorists, tensions are charged and tempers volatile).

Follow instructions precisely. Very precise instructions will be given to the hostages, either by the captors or the police. You may be asked to exit with hands in the air, and you may be searched by the rescue team. You may experience rough treatment until you are identified and the situation has stabilized.

52

Keep in mind three facts about terrorism:

1. The overwhelming majority of victims have been abducted from their vehicles on the way to or from work.

2. A large number of people taken hostage ignored the most basic security precautions.

3. Terrorist tactics are not static. As precautions prove effective, they change their methods. There is a brief “window of vulnerability” while we learn to counter their new styles.

53

Prevention Be prepared! Have actual risk information, use video

monitoring , alarms, lighting outside, detect following… Routine kills! Do not settle into a routine. Vary times and

routes to and from work or social engagements. Assimilate to local population. Use cultural „mimic colouring“

(clothing, beard, hair style, sunburn, behaviour, habits). Do not inform about your profession and family unknown

people. Do not introduce by your name using phone.

Be prepared, be unpredictible, be unconspicuous!!!

54

Avoid going out alone. Remember, there is safety in numbers. When traveling long distances by automobile, go in a convoy.

Avoid back country roads and dangerous areas of the city. A privately owned car generally offers the best security.

Avoid luxury or ostentatious cars. Keep your automobile in good repair and the gas tank at least half full.

Driving in the center lane of a multiple lane highway makes it difficult for the car to be forced off the road.

55

About lector

• Crisis, Disaster and trauma psychologist• Interior Ministry, head of psychology section• Foreign Ministry, lector• Czech Airlines, coordinator of psychological crisis team• Czech Police, coordinator of posttraumatic intervention team

Contact: 00420-607958920, stepan.vymetal@email.cz

Tragedies and Journalists – web brochre:

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/udalosti/prirucky/novinari/nn_en.pdf

55