Court offers deal to 'IS' suspect

On the first day of trial on Monday, presiding Judge Thomas Sagebiel offered accused German jihadist Kreshnik B. a mild punishment in return for full cooperation and a full confession.

"We don't want to completely ruin your future," the judge said, adding that the court was interested in showing him "clemency."

According to the higher regional court in Frankfurt, Kreshnik B. - whose full name cannot be released under the German press code - would then face a prison sentence of between three years and three months minimum and four years and three months maximum.

The defendant's lawyer stated his client would respond to the proposal on Friday when the trial resumes.

The case has generated widespread interest in Germany and beyond, as it is the first of its kind. It comes just days after German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere banned all activities of the Islamic State in Germany last week.

Kreshnik B. was born in Bad Homburg, a small town located roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Frankfurt am Main. His family originated from Kosovo, but he is a German citizen. He appears to have been a member of a local Jewish football club in his youth.

Police apprehended him in December of last year at the Frankfurt Airport.

Just a follower?

German prosecutors claim the accused turned to Islam in 2011 and then joined the ranks of the terror group Islamic State (IS) in the second half of 2013. He allegedly received weapons training and was allegedly involved in actual fighting action in Syria against government troops. However, there are no indications that Kreshnik B. was involved in any IS hostage killings or returned to Germany intending to carry out attacks.

On Monday, after reading out the indictment two recordings of phone calls were played out to the court, which gave the impression that Kreshnik B. did not have an important role, but was simply a follower. A female voice, apparently belonging to his sister, was heard saying, "Your 'brothers' there won't love you like your family does. You are young, dumb and naive."

The defense lawyer, Mutlu Günal, said he would discuss the defense stategy together with his client, pointing out that the defendant's voluntary return from Syria showed he had turned away from violent extremism.

Court proceedings are expected to last until November this year. They are taking place under tight security arrangements.

ws/kms (AFP, dpa, AP)

Editor's note: Deutsche Welle abides by the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims by withholding their surnames.