Verdict pending for Swiss veteran who joined anti-IS militia A Swiss military official says a verdict is expected Friday in the trial of a former sergeant accused of jeopardizing Switzerland's standing as a neutral nation by joining a foreign Christian militia to fight the Islamic State group in Syria

GENEVA -- A Swiss military official says a verdict is expected Friday in the trial of a former sergeant accused of jeopardizing Switzerland's standing as a neutral nation by joining a foreign Christian militia to fight the Islamic State group in Syria.

Swiss media say Johan Cosar is accused of training and fighting with the Syriac Military Council militia from 2013 to 2015.

Cosar's military trial on charges of joining a foreign army and recruiting other Swiss citizens opened Wednesday.

Court spokesman Mario Camelin said a concern for Swiss authorities was that a veteran of the armed forces fighting for a foreign militia could jeopardize the Alpine country's long-vaunted neutrality.

If convicted, Cosar could be fined and sentenced to up to three years in prison.

Camelin said Cosar's cousin also is on trial.