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SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Macedonian police say Turkey has extradited five Macedonians arrested in Istanbul in an operation to crack down on recruitment for the Islamic State group.
Police said Saturday that the Macedonians, aged 18 to 24, were arrested two weeks ago in Istanbul's Aksaray district along with four other foreigners aiming to fight for IS in Syria. Two of the arrested Macedonians were seriously injured when they tried to escape during the operation.
A total of 11 people have been sentenced in Macedonia this year for joining IS and recruiting for it.
Nine others, including the five extradited from Turkey, are in custody, awaiting trial.
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has said 86 people are under surveillance on suspicion they fought for Islamic State in Syria.
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