Title: Swiss Prosecutors File Terrorism Charges Against Two Men for ISIS Links, Propaganda, and Funding
Berne, 19.12.2024 – The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has filed an indictment with the Federal Criminal Court against two Swiss nationals, aged 22 and 28, accused of supporting and joining the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS). The suspects, residents of Zurich, are alleged to have planned a trip to Syria to join ISIS, engaged in extensive propaganda activities, and provided financial support to the group.
The OAG initiated the proceedings in December 2021, indicting the duo for supporting a terrorist organization (Art. 260ter, al. 1, let. a, ch. 2, in relation with let. b, Criminal Code), participating in a terrorist organization (Art. 260ter, al. 1, let., ch. 2, Criminal Code), and multiple possessions of prohibited violent images (Art. 135, al. 1bis, Criminal Code). The two suspects were arrested following coordinated arrests and searches in Switzerland and Germany in June 2022.
Planned trip to join ISIS,_propaganda, and fundraising
The 22-year-old defendant is accused of supporting ISIS between April 2020 and December 2021, operating an ISIS propaganda channel on Telegram, collecting and transferring donations, and planning a trip to Syria with an accomplice to join ISIS. Notably, the defendant was already of legal age during this period.
Joining ISIS and attempted journey to Syria
The OAG further alleges that the 22-year-old became an ISIS member by December 2021, attempting to travel to Syria via Turkey on December 7, 2021, to join the group as a fighter. Authorities in Turkey thwarted his attempt and returned him to Switzerland. Prior to his journey, the defendant obtained a tazkyia, an attestation of his loyalty to ISIS, akin to a citizenship certificate for new members.
Integrating into ISIS propaganda structures and planning another trip
After his failed attempt, the 22-year-old, along with the 28-year-old co-defendant and two German nationals, became actively involved in producing, translating, coordinating, and disseminating ISIS propaganda. The duo exploited multiple Telegram channels to distribute German translations of ISIS publications. In March 2022, they joined official ISIS propaganda structures, receiving instructions from leading members and submitting internal disputes for resolution.
The duo also collaborated to establish a media agency dedicated to ISIS, creating German-specific content likely intended for a major ISIS propaganda website. Additionally, they organized another trip to Syria to join ISIS between January 2022 and their arrest in June 2022.
Funding ISIS through cryptocurrency
The 22-year-old and 28-year-old defendants, along with a minor Bosnian-Herzegovinian national, allegedly funnelled CHF 12,940 ($13,800 USD) in cryptocurrency to support ISIS. The minor faces separate charges in a youth proceedings led by the Winterthur Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Recidivist defendants
Both defendants have prior convictions for supporting ISIS. The 22-year-old was convicted for propagating ISIS and spreading propaganda in 2019 under juvenile proceedings. The 28-year-old was initially suspected of involvement in the November 2, 2020, Vienna attack claimed by ISIS. Though the case was dismissed, he was convicted for propagating ISIS.
Following their 2022 arrests, both suspects were held in preventive detention. The 22-year-old was released in May 2024 with substitution measures in place. The 28-year-old was provisionally released from August 2023 to September 2024 before being re-remanded in custody pending indictment. Detention for security reasons was ordered for him following the indictment.
The OAG collaborated with domestic and international authorities, including German authorities, during the investigation. Fedpol, along with Zurich and St. Gallen cantonal police, supported the case under the OAG’s direction. The OAG thanks all involved authorities for their cooperation.
The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona is now responsible for further communication with the media. In accordance with procedure, the OAG will make public its penalty requests during the hearing before the Federal Criminal Court. The presumption of innocence applies to the defendants until a final judgment is rendered.
This article is based on an original press release in German.
