Kosovo brings terror, hate charges against 4 Albanian imams

PRISTINA, Kosovo – A Kosovo prosecutor has charged five ethnic Albanians, including four imams, with crimes that include carrying out terrorist acts and inciting hatred.

The national Prosecutor General's office said in a statement Thursday said that a special prosecutor has accused two of the Muslim leaders of committing terrorist acts and the two others of inciting national, racial, religious or ethnic hatred.

The statement did not detail the alleged activities that led to the charges, but said the most serious charges would be punishable by up to eight years in prison.

Authorities say no Kosovo citizen has joined extremist groups in Syria and Iraq this year, although about 70 still are believed to be active there.

The fifth defendant was charged with calling for resistance to legal institutions.