Four Albanians were placed in custody on remand on Friday for alleged involvement in recruiting Albanians to carry out terrorist activities in Syria.

The four defendants are charged with "recruiting Albanian citizens to carry terrorism acts" and "illegal possession of weapons," official news agency ATA said.

On Tuesday, the Albanian Serious Crimes Prosecution announced that seven Albanian Muslims were arrested for recruiting people for terrorist acts, incitement, public appeal and propaganda about terrorist activities.

Local media reported that the group the detainees belong to is suspected of exerting criminal activities for one year and the number of people sent to Syria amounts to 70.

About two-thirds of Albania's 3.2 million inhabitants are Muslims. The Albanian government and religious leaders have appealed to believers not to join extremist terrorist groups in Syria.