JAKARTA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian counter-terrorism agency has returned a total of 15 out of 18 former followers of IS terrorist group to their families after they underwent a de-radicalization program, a senior official of the agency said here on Friday.
The 18 persons, who left Indonesia in August 2015 for joining the IS activities in Syria, were deported to Indonesia last month after they escaped the IS group in Syrian city of Raqqa.
"This is a momentum for institutions, linked with a fight against terrorism, to help each other, so they (the 15 persons) can be back to their communities," senior official of the agency Colonel Andy Prasetyo said in a statement.
"We hope all stakeholders can help to recover the rights of the deported persons," he added.
The 18 persons had undergone the de-radicalization program taking place in Bogor town near the country's capital, according to him.
According to police, dozens of Indonesian citizens have returned home from joining IS activities in Syria.
Indonesia has stepped up de-radicalization campaign in an effort to stop penetration of extremism among citizens.
