Anti-Islamist crackdown in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
- 9 years ago
Police in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Thursday arrested at least nine people suspected of having fought alongside insurgents in Syria and Iraq and recruiting others to do the same.
In a security sweep of several towns, over 20 homes were searched as well as an internet cafe and a mosque in the capital Skopje.
An imam suspected of being the main ideological leader was among those detained.
More than two dozen other people are still being sought, most thought to be now in Syria or Iraq.
At least 16 Macedonians have been killed in the war-torn countries.
A further 130 are believed to have fought or to still be fighting there.
In a security sweep of several towns, over 20 homes were searched as well as an internet cafe and a mosque in the capital Skopje.
An imam suspected of being the main ideological leader was among those detained.
More than two dozen other people are still being sought, most thought to be now in Syria or Iraq.
At least 16 Macedonians have been killed in the war-torn countries.
A further 130 are believed to have fought or to still be fighting there.