Two Syrian refugees have gone on trial in Berlin over accusations of fighting on the side of Islamic terrorist groups back in their home country.

A.S., 26, and A.A. went to Germany as refugees in 2015, their names are withheld in line with privacy laws. The two are accused of joining Al-Nusra Front in 2012.

A is charged with participating in the capture of gas fields and the Syrian town of Tabqa. He is also accused of later joining the Islamic State fighters. A.S. is accused of participating in the takeover of an ammunition depot.

Also in a German court on Thursday, a Palestinian refugee was sentenced to life imprisonment for a knife attack in Hamburg earlier in June that left one killed and many injured.