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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Tel Aviv - Asharq Al-Awsat

Israel Arrests 6 Young Men from Nazareth for Alleged ISIS Ties

Israeli kids play next to an Israeli flag next to the Israeli Syrian border at the occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

The Shin Bet arrested six young Arab Israelis known as Palestinians of '48, for alleged affiliation with ISIS and plans to commit terror attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets, according to indictments filed on Sunday to the District Court of Nazareth.

The Israeli internal security service identified five of the suspects as Muhammad Ihab Suleiman, 25, Jafar Suleiman, 21, Muamen Nijam, 20, Ahmed Belal Suleiman, 18, Jihad Bakr, 20. The name of the sixth suspect, a minor, was barred from publication.

According to the list of accusations based on the suspects’ confessions, the Shin Bet said that in recent weeks, it arrested the six men for alleged affiliation with ISIS and plans to commit terror attacks.

Investigations revealed that the six suspects were exposed to ISIS ideologies online and had regularly accessed terrorist content.

Accordingly, they planned to attack the high school in their neighborhood in Nazareth because its curriculum includes sex education.

Also, they planned to attack a busy bus stop in northern Israel, a police station in Nazareth, a forest where Jewish Israelis often visit, and other areas.

The six men admitted, according to the Shin Bet statement, of meeting secretly and of planning attacks of various types.

They also obtained weapons and attempted to recruit others to promote their activities.

Indictments against the six suspects were filed on Sunday to the District Court of Nazareth, charging them with the crimes of conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, preparation of a terrorist act and membership in a terrorist organization.

The Court said it decided to extend their detention period until it ends all legal procedures against them.

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