Over 100 'Islamic State' fighters return to Germany
Germany's Interior Ministry said Sunday that over 100
members of the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) terrorist group have
returned to the country following the jihadi networks failed incursions in Iraq
and Syria.
"Security authorities obtained knowledge that they
actively engaged in combat in Syria and Iraq or have completed apprenticeships
to this end," the ministry told the DPA news agency. "These people
remain under police and judicial investigation."
The ministry added that the number of open investigations is
in the "two-figure range."
Authorities believe that 1,060 IS fighters left Germany for
Syria or Iraq, of which a third have since returned, the Interior Ministry
said.
German authorities are taking a "holistic
approach" to the handling of the returnees, which besides criminal
prosecution includes deradicalization and reintegration, according to the
ministry.
Several suspected German IS members are believed to be in
custody in Iraq, Syria or Turkey.
Turkish authorities have called on Germany and other
European countries to take back IS suspects, with Turkish Interior Minister
Soleyman Solyu saying in November that Turkey is not "a hotel for IS
members."
On Thursday, German authorities arrested two women, one of
which was a suspected IS member, upon their arrival at Frankfurt Airport from
Ankara after they were deported by Turkey.
According to the Genocide Network, a genocide investigation
body backed by the European Union, many returning suspected IS fighters only
face domestic terrorism charges in their home countries, which come with a
statute of limitations that sets a time limit to prosecution.
The body has called for European authorities to add war
crimes and genocide charges, the most serious crimes under international law
which could lead to longer sentences.
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