Seven Syrians face terror-related charges in Malta

Seven Syrian men were accused in a heavily guarded Maltese court on Sunday of having encouraged and trained others to commit terrorism in Europe, Reuters reported.

The seven, aged between 21 and 27, were arrested on April 29 in an operation coordinated with the European police agency Europol, Israel National News reports, citing the Malta police.

They are accused of association with an extremist organization, inciting terrorism through public messages, recruiting or attempting to recruit others to commit terrorism, instructing others on the use of explosives or firearms and attempting to travel to Europe to commit terrorism.

They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody at the end of the hearing.

The suspects face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment if convicted. No further details about the case were immediately available.

Europe has seen an uptick in terrorist attacks in recent years. Just last week, German authorities arrested a Syrian man on suspicion of planning to carry out an explosives attack motivated by Islamic extremism.

In June of 2022, four suspected members or sympathizers of the Islamic State (ISIS) group were detained in Germany and Switzerland.