Belgium detains ethnic Chechens suspected of fighting for IS
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Belgium detains ethnic Chechens suspected of fighting for IS, 8 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc4f231.html [accessed 18 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. |
June 08, 2015
Police in Belgium say they have detained 16 people in raids targeting ethnic Chechen Islamist militants.
Prosecutors said on June 8 that 21 raids were carried out in cities around the country in a crackdown on two related Islamist extremist organizations.
One group has been under investigation for an alleged planned terrorist attack in Belgium.
The groups are suspected of recruiting militants to fight for the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in Syria.
The detainees include Chechens "who had been trained and gained experience in Syria, Chechnya, and Afghanistan," a Belgian prosecutor was quoted as saying.
Belgium reportedly leads European countries in the number of residents, per capita, who have returned from fighting or training in Syria and Iraq.
Based on reporting by dpa and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
