Swiss Minister: Swiss ISIS members should be tried there

Switzerland’s Minister of Justice Karin Keller-Sutter announced that they “prefer” Swiss citizens who joined ISIS to face trial in Syria and Iraq.

Northern Syria and Rojava authorities have issued numerous statements on ISIS members of European origin arrested by the YPG, YPJ and SDF and called for them to face justice in their own countries.

Switzerland’s Minister of Justice Karin Keller-Sutter spoke about the matter and said, “My priority is the safety of the Swiss people and the security forces,” stating that they prefer the gang members to face trial in the country they are presently in.

“Can we put Swiss people in danger by bringing persons who left for Syria and Iraq to fight on their own volition?” said the minister and continued: “Can we put them on trial where they are? Can we collect evidence and run through a normal procedure? Very difficult. As such, think of Swiss courts, how would they rule on what happened in Syria?”

According to the Swiss intelligence service, 93 individuals have left Switzerland for Syria and Iraq. 79 of them are currently in Syria and Iraq according to the intelligence service. 27 individuals are reported dead and 16 reported to have returned.

Last Saturday, US President Donald Trump had called on European states to repatriate their citizens who joined ISIS and put them on trial.