Sweden charges 23 year old man over attempts to join IS in Somalia
A 23 year old Swedish Syrian man has been charged with several terrorism offences after prosecutors said he attempted twice to travel to Somalia to join the Islamic State group.
The Swedish government has filed charges against a 23-year-old Swedish Syrian man accused of committing several terrorism-related offences, including two failed attempts to travel to Somalia to join the Islamic State group and financing the organisation through digital currencies.
According to prosecutors, the man made his first attempt to reach Somalia on 4 September 2023 but was intercepted by Ethiopian security forces near the Somalia border. His second attempt took place on 18 March 2024, when he was arrested by Somali authorities before reaching areas controlled by IS.
Prosecutor Carl Mellberg stated that while the suspect’s exact intended role inside IS could not be determined, evidence shows that he planned to join the group actively and had prepared himself for involvement. The man is also accused of receiving training related to making and using explosive devices.
The suspect, who resides in southern Sweden, is linked to a 22-year-old man who was convicted in February for terrorism offences connected to attempted travel for extremist purposes.
His trial is scheduled to begin on 3 December and is expected to continue for three days.
