'Jihadist' suspect arrested in Lower Austria
The Local - [email protected] •
2 Sep, 2014
Updated Tue 2 Sep 2014 15:14 CEST
A Chechen asylum seeker has been arrested in Haidenreichstein, Lower Austria, for allegedly fighting alongside Islamist militants in Syria’s civil war.
The 29-year-old suspected jihadist was preparing to leave Austria, police said. He is now in prison in Krems.
Previously, Lower Austria’s State Office for Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Agency for State Protection and Counter Terrorism investigated the man on suspicion of participation in a terrorist organisation.
He allegedly fought in Syria in 2013. In December of that year he travelled to Austria for medical treatment and applied for asylum. His request was denied and he then appealed.
As many as 130 people from Austria are believed to be fighting as jihadists abroad. More than half of Austrian's jihadists originally come from the Caucasus region and have a valid residence permit in Austria.
Comments
See Also
The 29-year-old suspected jihadist was preparing to leave Austria, police said. He is now in prison in Krems.
Previously, Lower Austria’s State Office for Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Agency for State Protection and Counter Terrorism investigated the man on suspicion of participation in a terrorist organisation.
He allegedly fought in Syria in 2013. In December of that year he travelled to Austria for medical treatment and applied for asylum. His request was denied and he then appealed.
As many as 130 people from Austria are believed to be fighting as jihadists abroad. More than half of Austrian's jihadists originally come from the Caucasus region and have a valid residence permit in Austria.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.