187 years in prison for Kosovars joining terrorist organisations in Syria, Iraq

The state of Kosovo takes first place in the Balkans as regards the sentences it has pronounced for those who have participated in foreign wars, in Syria and Iraq, respectively.

The total of years of punishment for Kosovars who have participated in these wars is 187 years, then comes Albania, which has pronounced 126 years in prison, Bosnia and Herzegovina 40 and Macedonia 33 years in prison. These sentences include the period for 2015-2017.

The data is published by the Council for Regional Co-operation that deals with the co-operation of Eastern European countries aimed at membership in the European Union.

According to the findings of this report, 2012, which also marks the great influx of citizens of the Western Balkans to Syria and Iraq, has found state institutions unprepared.

The report shows how Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina faced major challenges in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, which has led these states to create state strategies for fighting this phenomenon.

The report also says that from 2012 to 2017, over 1,000 people have traveled from the Western Balkan region, to Syria and Iraq.

This issue includes individuals who are thought to have moved to those countries. Many have returned home, but a large number have been killed in war zones in Syria or Iraq.

Among those who have gone there are many wives, children, and older ones.

The year 2015 has marked the slowdown in the number of citizens from the Western Balkans who have gone to Syria and Iraq.

This road was completely banned in early 2016. Those left there have difficulty returning to their homes, the report says.

So far from war zones in Syria and Iraq, more than 130 Kosovo citizens have been destroyed, as long as dozens more continue to exist. / REL