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Kosovo Police Arrest 40 for Fighting in Iraq, Syria

Kosovo Police Arrest 40 for Fighting in Iraq, Syria
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Local Editor

Kosovo police arrested 40 men Monday on suspicion of having fought with terrorists in Syria and Iraq, a crackdown aimed at deterring recruitment of volunteer fighters, authorities in the small Balkan state said.

Kosovo Police Arrest 40 for Fighting in Iraq, SyriaThey said explosives, weapons and ammunition of various caliber was seized in the major police operation.
Kosovo is an overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian country, although lifestyles are largely secular.

The 40 men were being questioned on suspicion of engaging in acts against Kosovo's constitutional order and endangering the safety and security of the state, a police statement said.

Local media said an 18-year-old man from eastern Kosovo was killed in fighting in Syria last week, raising the total number of Kosovo Albanians killed in fighting in Iraq and Syria to 16.

A Kosovo intelligence source who asked not to be identified said an estimated 100-200 citizens were believed to have gone to Syria and Iraq for the purpose of combat so far.

Kosovo's parliament is expected to pass legislation soon banning citizens from joining foreign insurgencies, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on conviction.

A number of European countries including Britain, France and the Netherlands have begun cracking down on citizens, mainly of an immigrant background, going to join terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

They are concerned that such volunteers could eventually return to Europe battle-hardened, radicalized and posing security threats.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team