Judges in Rotterdam have sentenced a 26-year-old Rotterdammer to six years in jail in absentia for taking part in armed jihad in Syria, broadcaster NOS said.

Adil B is said to have had a leading role within the al Nusra terror group which is allied to al Qaida.

In total, nine cases involving jihadis were dealt with on Tuesday, mainly for procedural motions. None of the suspects, including Muslim convert Victor Droste, were in court. Most are either dead or in Syria or Iraq, NOS said.

The public prosecution department has begun prosecuting jihadi suspects in absentia so they can be jailed as soon as possible if they return to the Netherlands.