Polish trial of Chechen men accused of raising funds for IS commences
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
27.10.2016 16:52
The trial of four Chechen men charged with collecting funds for the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation commenced on Thursday.
Photo: Depositphotos
The four Russian citizens, who according to prosecutors say they have Chechen nationality, face up to 12 years in prison.
The men are accused of gathering funds for terrorist activities.
Statements which the defendants made during the investigation were read out in the court in Białystok, in northeastern Poland.
“Islamic State is a disease, I do not support it because it kills women and children. We have our Chechen jihad. I have never gathered any funding for IS. I have never recruited anybody for the war in Syria,” were among the statements read in court.
According to prosecutors, the group operated from May to October 2014 in Białystok, Łomża (north-eastern Poland), Warsaw and elsewhere in Poland, as well as in Turkey, recruiting fighters for Jihad. The four men are also accused of raising close to EUR 9,000 for the cause. (rg)