France Refuses to Repatriate Citizens Held in Northeastern Syria
France has announced it will not repatriate its citizens detained in northeastern Syria on charges
of affiliation with the terrorist group ISIS for trial in France. This declaration came during the
French Foreign Ministry’s weekly press conference on Thursday, where Anadolu Agency’s
correspondent posed a question to spokesperson Christophe Lemoine regarding the fate of
detained French nationals.
The correspondent inquired whether France was considering bringing back its citizens who
joined ISIS and are currently held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), where the PKK/YPG
terrorist organization holds significant influence.
Responding to the query, Lemoine stated,
“There are many French nationals detained in northeastern Syria. These individuals made their choice to go to Syria and join the ranks of ISIS.” He emphasized France’s stance that “from our perspective, they should be tried where they committed their crimes. This is a principle we always adhere to. We believe justice should be served at the scene of the events.”
Lemoine clarified that the children who were taken to Syria by their families are not responsible for their circumstances. He confirmed that France has conducted operations to evacuate French
children from Syria since 2019, with family consent.
Regarding France’s position on the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union,
Lemoine stressed the importance of distinguishing between this group and non-violent Kurdish
movements. He noted ongoing discussions with Turkey on this matter.
Lemoine also praised the role of the SDF in combating ISIS, describing them as an ally in this
conflict and welcoming their role in Syria.
It’s worth mentioning that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on January 10 that if
there’s anything France could do, it would be to retrieve its citizens from prisons in Syria and
transfer them back to France for trial in its courts.
This policy reflects France’s complex approach to dealing with its nationals involved in
international terrorism, balancing national security with international legal responsibilities.
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