ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—A former Dutch soldier will not face criminal charges for fighting with Kurdish forces in Syria and killing Islamic State militants, the prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday.
Named as Jitse Akse, 47, in Dutch media, he joined the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in early 2015 as a volunteer. He was arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of killing ISIS militants after telling his story in newspaper interviews and on Facebook.
He received a wave of support from the Dutch public after his arrest. A Facebook page, Justice for Jitse, has been liked by 23,371 people.
“Public prosecutors have dismissed the case against JA, who was suspected of being involved in killing ISIS fighters in Syria,” reads a statement from the prosecutor’s office noting that there was “insufficient evidence to show that A was personally involved in committing homicide or attempted homicide.”
The prosecutor also observed that an on-the-ground investigation of the claims against him is “impossible given the current climate.”
It is illegal under Dutch law for private citizens to engage in armed conflict.
Estimates of the number of foreign fighters who have joined the fight against range from dozens to over 100. Their governments have warned those who join the local militias, including the YPG and other Kurdish groups, that they may face prosecution on return home.
Named as Jitse Akse, 47, in Dutch media, he joined the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in early 2015 as a volunteer. He was arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of killing ISIS militants after telling his story in newspaper interviews and on Facebook.
He received a wave of support from the Dutch public after his arrest. A Facebook page, Justice for Jitse, has been liked by 23,371 people.
“Public prosecutors have dismissed the case against JA, who was suspected of being involved in killing ISIS fighters in Syria,” reads a statement from the prosecutor’s office noting that there was “insufficient evidence to show that A was personally involved in committing homicide or attempted homicide.”
The prosecutor also observed that an on-the-ground investigation of the claims against him is “impossible given the current climate.”
It is illegal under Dutch law for private citizens to engage in armed conflict.
Estimates of the number of foreign fighters who have joined the fight against range from dozens to over 100. Their governments have warned those who join the local militias, including the YPG and other Kurdish groups, that they may face prosecution on return home.
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