Two returnees from conflict areas arrested at Amsterdam airport

THE HAGUE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A 33-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man were recently arrested at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport after returning from conflict areas in Syria and Iraq, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced on Tuesday.

An international arrest warrant was issued for the two by the Dutch National Public Prosecutors' Office. The suspects were recently apprehended when they separately crossed the border with Turkey. Under the supervision of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, they both arrived at the Dutch airport on flights from Turkey.

The OM reported that the woman from Ede, who was arrested on Friday afternoon, has twice left the Netherlands to go to conflict zones. In 2014, she stayed in the battle zone for a prolonged period of time, and in 2015 she travelled there again.

The man, who was living in Amsterdam before he left the Netherlands, was arrested on Monday evening. He is suspected to have left the country in 2013 to take part in the armed struggle.

Both returnees are suspected of participating in a terrorist organization. The woman was put in custody for two weeks on Tuesday by the examining judge in Rotterdam, the man will be brought before an examining judge on Friday.

The OM stressed that its approach focuses on the trial of all persons who have travelled to join terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq. Enditem