TIRANA, Albania – Albanian police on Tuesday arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly recruiting men to enlist with Muslim rebel groups fighting in Syria.
A police statement said the suspect was taken into custody and will face charges of recruiting for terrorist activities. If convicted, he could be imprisoned for at least 10 years.
Another seven Albanian Muslims, including two imams, were arrested following a crackdown a month ago and are facing similar charges.
About two-thirds of Albania’s 3.2 million inhabitants are nominally Muslims, though the vast majority do not practice the religion. The country’s religious leaders have appealed to believers not to join rebel groups in Syria.
Scores of Albanians have gone to support Syrian rebels and at least two have died.
Albanian arrested for alleged Syria recruitment
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