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Austria arrests 13 suspected jihadi recruiters for Syria | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police in Austria have arrested 13 people suspected of radicalising young people and recruiting them to fight in Syria, prosecutors say. | Police in Austria have arrested 13 people suspected of radicalising young people and recruiting them to fight in Syria, prosecutors say. |
Reports in the Austrian media said 500 police were involved in searches at mosques, flats and prayer rooms in Vienna and the cities of Linz and Graz. | Reports in the Austrian media said 500 police were involved in searches at mosques, flats and prayer rooms in Vienna and the cities of Linz and Graz. |
Authorities also seized "terrorist propaganda material", prosecutors said. | Authorities also seized "terrorist propaganda material", prosecutors said. |
It comes amid a European crackdown on fighters who have joined jihadist forces in Syria and Iraq. | It comes amid a European crackdown on fighters who have joined jihadist forces in Syria and Iraq. |
A statement from Austria's state prosecutor's office said 16 people had been questioned following the searches in the early hours of Friday. | A statement from Austria's state prosecutor's office said 16 people had been questioned following the searches in the early hours of Friday. |
The 13 suspects had been arrested on suspicion of membership of a terrorist organisation. | The 13 suspects had been arrested on suspicion of membership of a terrorist organisation. |
Local media said a Bosnian preacher, who was the main suspect, was among those held. | Local media said a Bosnian preacher, who was the main suspect, was among those held. |
Along with "propaganda material", officers seized electronic material, cash and brass knuckles, according to reports. | |
In recent months, the Austrian authorities have said they are investigating more than 150 people believed to have joined radical militant groups in Iraq and Syria. | |
Hundreds of European Muslims are known to have travelled to Syria to join jihadist groups such as Islamic State fighting in the country's civil war. | Hundreds of European Muslims are known to have travelled to Syria to join jihadist groups such as Islamic State fighting in the country's civil war. |
EU member states are trying to prevent radicalisation at home and are also taking measures to tackle the security threat from jihadists returning from Syria. | EU member states are trying to prevent radicalisation at home and are also taking measures to tackle the security threat from jihadists returning from Syria. |
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