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Terrorism

Germany: Suspected Taliban member arrested

December 20, 2017

A young Afghan man who is "strongly suspected" of being a member of the Taliban has been extradited to Germany by French authorities. He reportedly arrived in Germany as an asylum seeker in 2015.

Two German police officers stand outside a building in Berlin
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Gambarini

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 moreTaliban 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 moreGermany 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)

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