Alleged IS fighter faces judgment before Thursday deadline or release
The trial of Aziz Rašid, accused of fighting for the Islamic State, is concluding. If a judgment is not issued by Thursday, the court must release him from detention.
Aziz Rašid: conviction or release by Thursday
The trial of Aziz Rašid, whom prosecutors accuse of actively fighting in the ranks of the Islamic State, is approaching a decisive moment, according to reporting by Google News SI — Crime (sl). Ljubljana Court has scheduled hearings for Monday and Wednesday, but if a conviction is not issued by Thursday, Rašid Aziz must be released from detention.
The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that following the filing of an indictment, detention cannot last longer than two years. If the accused is not handed down a conviction within this timeframe, the detention is lifted and the accused is released — unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise. Two years from the filing of the indictment against Aziz expire precisely on Thursday.
Since closing arguments are scheduled for Monday, the trial could in principle be concluded by Wednesday.
Prosecutors base their accusations on data concerning payments to Islamic State fighters and photographs in which Aziz is allegedly pictured in the company of individuals who are believed to have participated in terrorist operations. Aziz has denied the accusations from the outset of proceedings.
As has previously been reported, prosecutors are said to have received documentation from Iraqi authorities on 15 August, from which it emerges that Aziz is being sought in his native country via an international arrest warrant. Iraq has asked Slovenia to keep him in detention pending possible extradition and submitted an arrest warrant issued by a court in Baghdad.
Source: Google News SI — Crime (sl)