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 appeared in court Saturday charged with terrorism offences.

Eamon Bradley of Londonderry is charged with possessing a grenade and receiving training in arms and explosives.

A police officer told the court that the 25-year-old convert to Islam travelled to Syria earlier this year and joined the Army of Islam, a group fighting both the Syrian government and IS. He says he took part in two battles against the regime and one against the Islamic State group.

Bradley was arrested Thursday after returning from Syria.

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.

“As I understand it he was fighting against a tyrannical and murderous regime,” the judge said. “And I would find it very hard for the state to argue that fighting against (IS) was an act of terrorism.”

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