Four Bosnians have been charged with financing terrorist activities and recruiting fighters for the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria and Iraq.

The indictment accuses Husein Erdic of organizing the departure of Nevad Husidic and Merim Keserovic with the aim of joining IS.

It said Erdic acted in cooperation with unnamed individuals in Turkey.

It also said Erdic put Husidic and Keserovic in touch with a fourth suspect, Midhat Trako, who was due to provide funding for their transport to Istanbul.

The four were arrested in February.

The charges followed provisions of a new law aimed at discouraging young Bosnians from going to fight abroad. If found guilty, the men face up to 20 years in prison.

Police estimate around 200 Bosnians, including women and children, have left for Syria over the past three years.

More than 50 have returned to Bosnia-Herzegovina, while more than 20 were killed.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP