Three men who went to Syria to fight with IS and al-Nusra have been given jail terms of up to seven years, even though none of the men are in the Netherlands at the moment.

A fourth man who faced similar terrorism charges was found not guilty by judges in Rotterdam, broadcaster NOS reported.

The public prosecution department, which had called for nine year jail terms, decided to press ahead with the case so if any of the men return to the Netherlands they can be locked up immediately.

The three sentenced on Tuesday include Victor D from Heeten, a Dutch Muslim convert who was found guilty of taking part in armed jihad and undergoing training with either IS or al-Nusra.

A former postman, D left the Netherlands five years ago to fight against Syrian president Assad.

He told RTV Oost in a reaction to the sentence that it was ‘doable’ but unjust and an example of ‘institutionalised Islamophobia’.