500 IS Followers from Germany — Security Sources

Berlin, 19 Ramadan 1437/24 June 2016 (MINA) – There are currently about 500 terrorists from Germany belonging to the so-called Islamic State (IS), with 253 being in the country, 79 jailed, and the rest are abroad, said German authorities on Thursday.

The number of those who left Germany to fight in Syria and Iraq are estimated at 820, said President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) Holger Munch in an interview with DPA.

Holger noted that Germany is closely monitoring those abroad, adding that “We want to know what they are performing, who they communicate with, and whether they are back tomorrow.” Meanwhile, he said that Germany has implemented extreme security measures since 2015 to prevent Islamists from joining IS.

Travelling to Syria and Iraq has become harder for terrorists and the desire to fight for IS has decreased due to the ongoing military strikes against the group, Holger said.

Holger also warned against the returnees from the war regions to Europe. “We do not but have the excellent return wave. This will nevertheless possibly use sometime”.

“One third of the 820 who left the country is, in accordance to BKA, are now back in the Federal Republic,” he noted, adding that 140 Islamists have died in Syria or in Iraq. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)