Prosecutors in Bosnia announced charges Thursday against a citizen accused of joining and fighting for the Islamic State terror group in Syria.
Authorities say Abdulaziz Osman Kekic, who was deported from Turkey earlier this year, was arrested by Bosnian authorities at Sarajevo International Airport.
It is unclear if he was actively fighting in Syria before his detention.
Soon after his arrest, he was released pending trial. He is formally charged with "organizing a terrorist group."
The court ordered Kekic not to leave the town of Buzim, where he currently lives. The defendant is appealing the decision, arguing he should be allowed to travel to see his family in Gornji Rahic. However, prosecutors argue against travel rights, saying that the region he intends to travel is known as a stronghold of radicalized Bosnians.
Kekic’s attorney, Senad Dupovac, dismissed that assertion.
The court's decision is expected in a couple of weeks.
So far this year, Bosnian State Court has sentenced 12 individuals to a total of 23 years in prison for public incitement of religious hatred and for joining or planning to join a terrorist organization.
