Kosovo arrests three for terrorism, alleged connections with ISIL

Kosovo arrests three for terrorism, alleged connections with ISIL

People from Kosovo have joined radical Islamic groups, terrorising portions of the Middle East, security analysts said.

Police in Kosovo have arrested three people on terrorism charges amid a crackdown against home-grown extremists who are accused of joining and recruiting for terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Kosovo police told SETimes that the arrests on Thursday (June 26th) are the result of several months' investigation by the directorate against terrorism, under the supervision of the Kosovo Special Prosecutor's Office.

The suspects are accused of participation in a terrorist group, recruitment for terrorism and inciting hatred, national, racial, religious or ethnic intolerance.

Police did not release the full names of the suspects, but said two are from Kacanik and the other is from Hani I Elezit. Authorities searched their homes and seized military uniforms, electronic devices, propaganda material, passports and binoculars.

"The police units are continuing the investigation of this case [focusing] on the possibility of the inclusion of any other potential suspect involved," Kosovo police said.

Kosovo media reported that the three arrested are suspected of being related to terrorist groups in some Islamic countries. The Kosovo daily Express reported that authorities had received a list of five people to be arrested for being affiliated with the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) but the group had fled the country.

According to Express, the group returned to Kosovo on Wednesday and the police made their arrests early Thursday. It was not immediately clear if the three people arrested were on the...