Around 30 former ISIS members holding German citizenship have been detained for years in prisons in northeastern Syria. Security experts warn that ongoing conflicts could lead to prison breaks, allowing thousands of jihadists to escape and return unchecked to their home countries, including Germany.
In Germany, relatives of the detainees have repeatedly called for their repatriation, citing both the risk of escape and dire prison conditions. Health concerns are particularly pressing: German media recently reported that Dirk B., a detainee from Baden-Württemberg imprisoned since 2017, is suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
So far, three families have submitted petitions to the Bundestag demanding the return of their relatives. Alongside Dirk B.’s father, who filed his petition in 2019, the families of Lukas G. from North Rhine-Westphalia and Martin L. from Saxony-Anhalt have also lodged similar appeals.
Sources - Agencies
