‘Insufficient evidence’ against former soldier who fought in Syria, named by Dutch media as Jitse Akse

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The Dutch prosecution service has quashed a case against a former soldier arrested on suspicion of killing jihadis from Islamic State while fighting alongside Kurdish forces in Syria last year.

“Public prosecutors have dismissed the case against JA, who was suspected of being involved in killing Isis fighters in Syria,” the prosecutors’ office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Dutch media have named the man as 47-year-old Jitse Akse, who left for Syria in early 2015.

Police arrested Akse in January in the eastern Dutch city of Arnhem after he told newspapers and reported on Facebook that he had fought against jihadis in Syria.

He said he had been fighting alongside the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), and his arrest prompted an outpouring of support from Dutch people.

UN accused of taking sides in Syrian conflict Read more

Amnesty International accused YPG last year of chasing citizens from their homes in northern Syria before razing the buildings.

Dutch prosecutors said, however, that there was “insufficient evidence to show that A was personally involved in committing homicide or attempted homicide”.

“The content of A’s claims are difficult to prove and are not supported by any other evidence,” their statement said. “Also, an on-the-ground investigation is impossible given the current climate.

“A was informed of the decision to dismiss the case and was again warned against the illegality of private participation of citizens in an armed conflict.”