Germany: Suspected Taliban member arrested
December 20, 2017
Federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 21-year-old Afghan man who is believed to be a member of the Taliban.
Read more: Taliban fighter or liar? Asylum-seeker's trial starts in Berlin
Officials accuse the man, identified as Jabar N. in line with German privacy rules, of having joined the "terrorist group" in 2011.
In their statement, prosecutors said the suspect reportedly took part in at least 30 clashes with Afghan security forces and fought against militants associated with the so-called "Islamic State" (IS).
Read more: Germany terrorism prosecution cases soar: report
In the summer of 2015, Jabar N. arrived in Germany from Afghanistan via Iran, Turkey and Greece, through the refugee asylum process. As he was being sought, the man fled to France, where he was later apprehended and extradited back to Germany.
The suspect will remain in custody while his case is being processed.
Wednesday's arrest is the latest in a series of detentions that have been carried out in Germany due to increased security concerns. Since German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country's doors to hundreds of thousands of refugees in September 2015, authorities have prosecuted several individuals suspected of having ties to the Taliban and IS.
jcg/rc (AP, dpa)