Belgium charges three people on suspicion of joining jihadists in Syria

Belgium has charged three people, including a couple with two young children, on suspicion of joining jihadists in Syria, local media reported on Sunday.

They were arrested during police raids in the Belgian town of Jumet, about 60 km south of Belgian capital Brussels, on Saturday.

Another person, who was also detained on Saturday, was released after questioning.

The couple was identified by local newspaper group Sudpresse as 23-year-old "A.", which was the initial of the suspect, and his partner Yamine.

"A." had been the subject of telephone surveillance since November last year and is suspected of planning a trip to Syria, Sudpresse reported. He is also accused of introducing a local woman to a suspected jihadist with whom she planned to marry and fight in Syria.

Yamine is suspected of making radical Islamist remarks and had reportedly been on a police watch-list for some time. The couple were taken away after anti-terror police raided their home on Saturday morning.

The couple's two children, aged two and seven respectively, will be cared by their relatives.

The third person being charged was identified by Sudpresse as Bilal, who is reportedly a friend of A. Bilal had the intention of leaving for Syria and was charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation. Endit