Four Chechens face terrorism charges in Poland
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Four Chechens face terrorism charges in Poland, 27 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a18613.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 27, 2016
The Chechens were charged with participation in a criminal organization and illegal fundraising to support the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria and Iraq.
A Polish court opened proceedings against four Chechen men on charges of terrorism and trying to raise money for Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.
The court in the northeastern city of Bialystok identified the defendants only as Taus G., Zaur G., Alvi Y., and Shamkhan A.
The four, all Russian citizens living legally in Poland, faces charges of participation in a criminal organization and illegal fundraising to support the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.
Investigators say that the four helped a wounded militant get illegal medical assistance and collected nonlethal military equipment to be shipped to Islamic State fighters in the Middle East.
The group faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
On October 25, authorities in Germany announced raids in five regions targeting 14 Russian citizens from Chechnya who were suspected of financing terrorism.
Also, a young Syrian man has been charged in Germany with terrorism on suspicion that he was scouting possible attack targets for the IS group.
Police in Berlin said on October 27 that the 19-year-old, whose name was not released because of local privacy laws, was charged with belonging to a terrorist organization and violating a law on transporting weapons. He was arrested in March.
Prosecutors said the man joined IS in 2013 and participated in fighting in Syria. He traveled to Germany in 2015, allegedly posing as a Syrian refugee.
Officials said the man was planning to carry out terrorist attacks himself.
Based on reporting by Bialystok.wyborcza.pl, dpa, AP, Reuters, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
