Macedonia arrests 4 jihadists fighting for IS

Image
AFP Skopje
Last Updated : Jul 09 2016 | 9:42 PM IST
Police have arrested four Macedonians suspected of fighting for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and are actively looking for three others, an official said today.
Yesterday's operations included raids in the capital Skopje and northwestern Tetovo, in which computers, mobile phones and passports were seized, said police official Dejana Nedeljkovic.
"The police have arrested four Islamic State members who fought in Syria and Iraq," she said, adding that of the three others being searched, two were probably still fighting on the frontline.
According to the Macedonian police, about 130 nationals have left to fight for the jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.
The Albanian Muslim minority comprises only a quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million-strong population, most of whom are Orthodox Christians.
According to Macedonia's criminal code, joining conflicts abroad as well as recruiting citizens to fight in foreign conflicts is punishable by five years in jail.
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has said that 72 people who have returned from Syria to Macedonia are considered "potential terrorists".
Syria's war began in 2011 as a popular revolt seeking democratic reform, but later morphed into a brutal civil war that attracted jihadists from all over the world.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 09 2016 | 9:42 PM IST

Next Story