Austria plans to forbid Islamic extremist symbols

VIENNA (AP) — Austria plans to introduce a law banning symbols of the Islamic State group and 18 other extremist groups.

The justice and interior ministries announced the initiative on Monday.

Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner also says that dual nationals will lose their Austrian citizenship upon joining any foreign paramilitary organization. While international law prohibits taking away passports from people who have a single citizenship, she says Austria will lobby to change that status in such cases.

The proposals still have to be approved by parliament, but that is likely to happen.

The Interior Ministry says that more than 140 people have left Austria to fight for radical Islamic groups in the Middle East.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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