Northern Ireland man charged with Syria terrorism says he fought against Islamic State group

LONDON – A Northern Ireland man who says he fought against the Islamic State group in Syria has been charged with terrorism offenses.

Eamon Bradley appeared in a Londonderry court Saturday, charged with possessing a grenade and receiving training in arms and explosives.

A police officer said the 25-year-old convert to Islam traveled to Syria earlier this year and joined a group fighting both the Syrian government and IS.

Bradley's lawyer said the young man did not believe he had committed a crime, and judge Barney McElholm said the case raised issues about the definition of terrorism. The judge said "I would find it very hard for the state to argue that fighting against (the Islamic State) was an act of terrorism."

Bradley was ordered detained until a Dec. 4 court appearance.