Bosnian police arrest Syria-bound suspects

Bosnian police arrest Syria-bound suspects

A national security sweep apprehends alleged ISIL supporters, including two at the Sarajevo airport.

Bosnia launched Operation Damascus in 2014 to stem the flow of recruits to Syria. The latest security action on February 18th involved multiple cities. [AFP]

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) security forces arrested seven people on February 18th for suspected links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terror organisation.

Bosnia's prosecutor said the men were all members of radical religious movements, and that some were on their way to join ISIL fighters in Syria.

A 19-year-old and another man in his late 20s were caught at the Sarajevo airport on their way to Istanbul.

State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) officers apprehended other suspects in Sarajevo, Maglaj, Buzim, Velika Kladusa and Zenica. The security sweep was part of Operation Damascus, which was launched in September to crack down on terrorist recruitment and financing.

Charges against the seven men include participation in foreign paramilitary formations, SIPA spokesperson Kristina Jozic told SETimes.

Ramiz Ibrahimovic and his son Alaudin were among those allegedly planning to go to Syria. Ibrahimovic was arrested last year as part of Operation Damascus. Accused of fighting with ISIL forces in Syria, he was later released from custody.

The arrests stunned the community, since Alaudin Ibrahimovic is disabled. Fifteen years ago, when he was 8, he lost an arm and an eye in a bomb blast.

"The family was respected in the Maglaj Islamic community," said former Maglaj Mayor Dzevad Galijasevic.

"Alaudin, regardless of his disabilities, was an excellent student...