Germany: Syrian accused of joining IS in homeland arrested

BERLIN – German prosecutors say a 19-year-old Syrian man has been arrested on suspicion that he joined the Islamic State group in his homeland.

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that Shaas E.M., whose full name wasn't given, in keeping with German privacy rules, is accused of joining IS in Syria in 2013 and being a member at least until August last year. They say he took part in various IS military operations and later transported food between bases.

Prosecutors said there are no indications that the suspect was planning any attacks, and stressed that there is no connection between the case and recent attacks in France and Belgium.

They didn't specify when and how the man came to Germany. Prosecutors in Potsdam, outside Berlin, arrested him on Tuesday.