Switzerland indicts 2 men on terrorism-related charges
The 36-year-old Kosovar and the 33-year-old dual national, who were not identified by name, are suspected of having carried out indoctrination, financing and recruitment of the Swiss chapter of a 'Kosovar terrorist organization' over the last decade, mostly in the Geneva area, the Swiss Attorney General's office said.
The two men were arrested in September 2022 in connection with an investigation into their alleged support for the Islamic State group. The suspects allegedly launched a drive to drum up backing and funds for a 'Salafi-jihadi ideology' with hopes to destabilize Kosovo and seize territory to rule under sharia law.
The suspects face charges including participation in a terrorist group, bribery of public officials and money laundering. as well as for illegally drawing some social benefits in Switzerland, according to the prosecutors.
The case now moves to the federal criminal court. Under Swiss law, the suspects are entitled to a presumption of innocence until the judicial process runs its full course and ends with a guilty verdict.
Switzerland, whose policy of neutrality aims to keep it out of conflicts, has largely avoided the violent extremism that swept across other parts of Europe and around the world in recent decades.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, with most Western nations recognizing its sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China don't.
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July 7 (UPI) -- The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland filed an indictment against two people on terrorism charges on Monday. The two men, aged 36 a Kosovar national, and aged 33, a Macedonian national, are being accused of having carried out activities related to indoctrination, financing, and the recruitment of new members. The two are suspected of promoting the ideology and supporting the terrorist group "Islamic State." In shared charges, they collected money from members of the Geneva chapter and had funds sent to Kosovo to fund the activities of the terrorist organization. The Kosovar terrorist organization aims to recruit as many followers as possible to join its cause and its Salafi-jihadist ideology. Also, it wants to take up arms and seize control over a selected region, under the terrorist organization "Islamic State." The Kosovar national is believed to have served on the executive committee and acted as co-leader for a terrorist branch in Kosovo. He is also believed to have organized meetings of the Swiss chapter's members. The Macedonian national is also suspected of being a member of the Swiss chapter. He is believed to have organized visits from preachers to teach the "Islamic State" terrorist principles and ideology. The OAG will announce its sentencing requests during the hearings. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
