Germany's Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday said that a trove of confidential "Islamic State" files will facilitate "speedier, clearer investigations and stricter prison sentences" for returnees.

The documents contain personal information about foreign fighters, including those from Germany, who joined the militant group in Iraq and Syria.

The material is based on "entrance interviews" aimed at determining the incoming fighter's status in the "Islamic State," according to a report by Munich-based newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung," which broke the story on Monday with public broadcasters WDR and NDR.

The report stated that those who freely volunteer themselves to join the "Islamic State" had to answer 23 questions that included information on their residence, religion, family status, education and so-called "jihadist experience."

The German attorney general knew of the files, and was working with authorities to identify citizens returning to the country after fighting alongside the "Islamic State," the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported.

"It helps us to understand the underlying structures of this terrorist organization," the interior minister added.

Following the report, a Federal Criminal Police Agency (BKA) spokesperson confirmed that the agency was in possession of the cache of documents, adding that experts determined their authenticity. However, the spokesperson did not specify how the agency obtained them.

What is 'IS'? What is 'Islamic State'? A breakaway from terrorist organization al Qaeda, "Islamic State" is a Sunni militant group that is believed to have formed in response to disillusionment and frustration due to the failed rule of governments in Syria and Iraq. Its flag reads "Muhammad is the prophet of God" and "There is no god apart from Allah" - lines that are valid for all Muslims, not just "IS."

What is 'IS'? Where is the 'Islamic State' active? The "Islamic State" aims to create a "caliphate" - a state where the traditional values of Islam and Sharia law must be adhered to. Due to the instability of regions in Syria and Iraq, the "Islamic State" has been able to capture land in the two countries.

What is 'IS'? What makes the 'Islamic State' different? A key difference is the brutality "Islamic State" has used to strike fear into its enemies and innocents by cruel beheadings and ruthless violence. In contrast to this, it is said to govern the regions it takes over. As Middle East expert Shadi Hamid told PBS: "They provide social services. They run local government. They provide some modicum of law and order."

What is 'IS'? How does 'Islamic State' relate to other terrorist groups? Though "IS" is active in Syria and Iraq, the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram recently declared its support. It's like a competition in cruelty: while Boko Haram is responsible for 13,000 deaths, "IS" has injured or killed at least 24,000 people. Terrorist group al Qaeda has distanced itself from "IS" with its offshoot Nusra Front even fighting against "IS".

What is 'IS'? What about its followers? Something else that distinguishes the "IS" is its followers. More than 20,000 foreign fighters have joined the group, with more than 4,000 come from Western Europe and North America, according to an ICSR report. Here are the countries where most people have gone to fight. But, there are more fighters per capita heading to fight from some smaller countries like Sweden and Belgium.

What is 'IS'? What are Western governments doing to stop 'Islamic State'? Since August 2014, a US-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on "Islamic State" targets in Syria (1,422 strikes) and Iraq (2,242 strikes), according to a BBC report. Some governments have also been active within their own countries: Germany is set to prosecute at least 30 suspected militants returning from Syria, while Saudi Arabia, for example, arrested 93 suspected militants in April 2015. Author: Louise Osborne



Countering terrorism

According to domestic intelligence agencies, more than 600 German citizens have joined the militant group in Iraq and Syria.

The announcement comes as European and American counterterrorism apparatuses bolster efforts to curb homegrown terrorism inspired by the militant group.

In January, Europol - the EU's law enforcement agency - announced the formation of a strategic center to combat terrorism in Europe, tasked with boosting intelligence-sharing among member states and tracking militants' finances.

Watch video 25:55 Share Haider al-Abadi on Conflict Zone Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/1HwNw Iraq's Haider al-Abadi | Conflict Zone

ls/rc (dpa, Reuters)