Ahmed Mossa Ahmed, a Bulgarian imam in a tight-knit Roma neighbourhood in southern Bulgaria, was detained yesterday along with five men and one woman in a massive operation by police and prosecutors that included a raid on a mosque.
They have been charged with "preaching the ideas of the terrorist Islamic State (IS) group" and "inciting war" between July and November, deputy chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov told a press conference.
Other videos contained preachings by Ahmed as well as IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi praising IS jihadists in Syria and urging an Islamic war.
According to Sarafov, Ahmed had followers from Roma Muslim communities in Germany, France and the Netherlands and the Bulgarian group was serving as a link for western Europeans wanting to join IS fighters in Syria and Iraq.
Ahmed was already twice given jail time, including as recently as March, for promoting radical ideology in mosques, conferences and cafes. But he remained free pending appeal.
The office of the country's Chief Mufti, the spiritual leader of Bulgaria's Muslims, meanwhile distanced itself from the suspects.
A majority Christian Orthodox country, Bulgaria also has a 13-per cent Muslim population, including ethnic Turks, Muslim Roma and Pomaks, whose Christian ancestors were forced to convert to Islam during the country's Ottoman domination.
You’ve hit your limit of 5 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online
Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app