According to you, what could have Geronimo done to possibly avoid or forecast this situation, in order to be prepared?


  • As part of the search for information on the travel context, Geronimo could have focused on the sources of prevailing risks in the country of destination.
  • He could have found information on both the local clothing habits, and the presence of terroristic forces of religious nature. In this sense, he could have tailored his appearance to avoid any potential risk of misunderstanding with the local authorities. In other words, he could have cut his beard or kept it at a length that would give no pretext to anyone for enforcing enquiries on security matters.
  • He should have identified a trusted person or institution in the country of origin that could notify his movements before reaching his final destination, namely the physical place where he would live during his internship (i.e. an hotel, a student flat, etc.).
  • Depending on the prevailing sources of risk, he could have asked a representative of the local NGO to meet him at the airport. In order to minimize the risk, he could have also notified his entry into the international area of the airport, both to his local contacts and to his trusted contacts in Italy. That would have given his contacts the opportunity to track Geronimo’s movements while transiting through the airport.
  • During the questioning, Geronimo should have kept a balanced attitude while controlling his reactions. Looking too frightened could have made the officer feel that he could do anything he liked, further exacerbating the demands he would impose. On the other hand, keeping his emotions under control would have helped Geronimo to set a boundary for the demands he could receive, and to send the implicit message that he could resist the pressure.