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Former Dutch soldier arrested for killing IS fighters

Xinhua, January 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

A 47-year-old former Dutch soldier has been arrested in Arnhem for involvement in killing fighters from Islamic State (IS), the Dutch public prosecutor announced on Friday.

The man was arrested on Wednesday and was arraigned on Friday at the magistrate in Rotterdam. The suspect was temporarily released later on the condition that he surrendered his passport, remained in the Netherlands and returned to the police station every week to prevent him from going to Syria again.

According to the prosecution, the suspect reported about his battle against terror last year in the media and through Facebook. The prosecutor suspects that the Dutchman was fighting on behalf of the Kurdish militia YPG.

Dutch fighters against IS could be prosecuted in the Netherlands if they commit crimes in Syria. According to Dutch legislation, Dutch citizens, aside from exceptional situations such as self-defense, do not have the right to turn to the use of violence and certainly not to lethal violence.

The killing of IS fighters may therefore lead to a criminal prosecution for murder. Further investigation should make clear the extent of the involvement of the arrested former Dutch soldier. Enditem