The accused of terrorism says his goal was to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people

Blerim Syla, accused of participating in the ISIS terrorist group, appeared before the Pristina Court today, March 24.03.2025, XNUMX, to face the charges against him.

Syla is accused of having traveled from Kosovo to Turkey and then to Syria in 2013 with the intention of joining the ISIS terrorist group, to train and later to fight.

Defendant Blerim Syla said he got married in 2018 and is the father of two children.

During questioning by his lawyer Besnik Berisha, Blerim Syla said that from 31.02.2016 to 01.04.2024 he had been living on the run in North Macedonia. On 01.04.2024, Blerim Syla was arrested by the North Macedonian Police.

During his defense, he said that in November 2013 he had traveled out of Kosovo to Turkey by plane.

From Turkey, he had traveled by plane to the city of Hatay inside Turkey.

While from Hatay, he had stayed in a refugee camp, but he said he did not remember where that camp was.

"Why did you travel to Turkey and go to Hataj?" asked lawyer Besnik Berisha.

"The reason was to help the Syrian people based on the calls of the minister at the time who called for helping the Syrian people. At that time, lectures were also held in mosques. They said we have an obligation to go and help them. This was the incentive that led me to Turkey. I stayed for 3 months and 10 days and I have not moved from this camp," said Blerim Syla.

Defendant Blerim Syla said he was unaware that the terrorist group ISIS existed and that he had another intention.

"My goal was humanitarian, as far as ISIS is concerned, I didn't even know this organization existed and I have never, ever supported it, nor have I supported their actions," Syla said.

Further, during the defense, he said that his return to Kosovo had been voluntary and that he had wanted to return since December 2013.

"The return was voluntary. I did not pursue the humanitarian goal because I could not understand anything there, neither the language, nor the lifestyle, nor anything. Since December 2013, I have wanted to return voluntarily," said Syla.

Blerim Syla said that when he decided to go, his objective was to help the Syrian people.

"Considering that there is a war there, we will fight if necessary alongside the Syrian people and not ISIS," Syla said.

The next hearing regarding this criminal case is expected to be held in April.

This case is being handled by a panel consisting of Ngadhnjim Arrni (presiding judge) and two members, Kujtim Krasniqi and Kushtrim Shyti.

While the indictment is being represented by special prosecutor Habibe Salihi.

What does the Prosecution file say?

According to the indictment of the Kosovo Special Prosecution, Blerim Syla is accused of participating in terrorist groups, specifically the ISIS terrorist group.

According to the Prosecution, on November 03.11.2013, XNUMX, Syla traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, and then went to the city of Hatay.

Syla's journey, according to the Prosecution, did not end there, as he then continued his journey to the city of Hatay in Turkey with the final destination being the city of Azra in Syria.

Syla's arrival was not accidental, as according to the Prosecution, he had been placed in a training center, where he had conducted exercises in one of the cities of Syria.

He had done his shooting training for engagement and participation in combat, and according to the Prosecution, the accused had stayed in Syria for three months.

On May 17.05.2014, XNUMX, Syla set off to return to Kosovo.

These actions of Blerim Syla, according to the Prosecution, have consumed the elements of the criminal offense - participation in terrorist groups.

For the offense specified above, according to the old Criminal Code under which the accused will be tried, he is sentenced to between 5 and 10 years in prison.

"Anyone who participates in the activities of a terrorist group is sentenced to imprisonment of five (5) to ten (10) years," says the paragraph with which Blerim Syla is charged.

Regarding similar actions, where Kosovo citizens had joined certain groups to fight in Syria, the Pristina Court had handled dozens of cases.

Syla had been on trial together with several other people, but the procedure against him was separated as he has been on the run since 2015 and was brought to Kosovo through an extradition procedure from the state of North Macedonia, reports Kallxo.