The future of the Swedish citizens who joined DAESH and are now in the hands of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was discussed during a session at the Swedish Parliament.

Linda Westerlund Snecker, Justice Policy spokesperson of the Left Party, said: “Kurds have ensured our safety. Now we have to respond to their request for assistance with DAESH members in their hands.”

Debates about the future of Swedish DAESH members were accelerated after the SDF seized the last territories in the hands of the mercenaries and US President Donald Trump called for the return of around 800 DAESH members to European countries.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven responded to Trump's call by saying that they would not help DAESH citizens to return to Sweden and that they would have to return with their own means to face justice.

The Swedish Democrats raised the issue with a written question and asked for a debate in parliament.

Speaking on behalf of the Swedish Democrats, Adam Marttinen criticised the government's stance on DAESH saying that it would not help bringing justice.

Sweden, International Court, Jurisdiction

Interior Minister Mikael Damberg said that after the collapse of the caliphate established by DAESH, Sweden and the whole world are faced with the questions of how to ensure justice and security.

He added that Sweden is in favor of bringing the members of DAESH to justice in an international court, which should be established in cooperation with other countries. He pointed out that the new terror law is on the agenda for the criminalization of relations with terrorist organizations.

Johan Forsell, speaking for the main opposition Moderat Party, accused the government of taking a risk for not taking the necessary measures for the return of DAESH Swedish nationals from Iraq and Syria.

The Liberal Party and the Central Party also criticized the government for the delay in bringing the new terror law to the agenda.

A threat to everyone

“We do not want to live in the context of violence, as feminists, environmental activists and mothers living with children”, said Left Party MP Linda Westerlund Snecker, who added that DAESH poses a threat to all who want to live in a free society.

“The crime of war, murder and violence is unacceptable. - said Snecker - The perpetrators must be investigated, brought to justice and punished. It doesn't matter what crime they've committed. No one can think to go back and run around free in Sweden or another country after going there to fight for the Islamic State, rape and massacre.”

We must support Northern Syria

Snecker said that the Left Party has worked in cooperation with the democratic Kurdish administration in Rojava and added: “Kurdish forces fought against the now constrained Islamic State. They defended our safety. Now when the Kurds demand assistance with the foreign members of the Islamic State, we must provide it. We want to help rebuilding Northern Syria and help the people there.”

This, said Snecker, is necessary for Sweden's security and to help those who defeated DAESH. Snecker also said DAESH foreign members should be tried before an international court in the Swedish or Kurdish region.

Snecker indicated that the most appropriate option would be trying them in Sweden because, if released, these mercenaries could come from Turkey and Greece to Europe, thus posing a new threat.

According to the findings of the Swedish Security Police (Säpo), around 300 jihadists went to Syria and Iraq and joined the ranks of terrorist organizations such as DAESH and Al-Nusra. Half of them came back. None of those who came back have so far been brought to justice.

It is estimated that there are around 40 Swedish citizens captured or who have surrendered to the SDF in Northern Syria.