Three Macedonian citizens arrested for participation in war in Syria

As reported in the report, the three arrested “have been the object of the interest of security services in the past period” and have been arrested under the global fight against terrorism.

Two people were reportedly arrested in northern Macedonia and one in France, under a Macedonian warrant, as a result of MPB co-operation and National Security Agency (ANB) with French authorities.

According to police, those arrested, with initial O. S. 28 years old, R. S. (33) and M. G. (26 years), in 2014, they joined the armed formations of the militant Islamic State organisation on Syria's territory and actively participated in military operations.

“The MPB, with orders for raiding houses and other items issued by the pre-procedure judge, has conducted raids at two locations in Skopje, the O.S. and R. S., where weapons, ammunition, mobile phones and other electronic devices have been found and confiscated, the North Macedonia MPB spokesman said on May 12th.

As he pointed out, according to the provided evidence, the police sector for combating terrorism, violent extremism and radicalism has handed over criminal outcry to the North Macedonia Organised Crime Prosecutor, against persons named for criminal work “service in the enemy army”, envisioned at Article 322 of the Criminal Code.

According to that sub of the Code, for participation “in the enemy's army” is envisioned jail sentences of at least three years, while recruiting citizens of Northern Macedonia at least five years.

In January of this year, the services of NATO and North Macedonia prevented three attempts at terrorist attacks. The North Macedonia Intelligence and Security Service agency then told Radio Free Europe that in co-operation with member states' security services, terrorist attacks in northern Macedonia and neighbouring countries have been prevented.