French Judge Urges Repatriation of Jihadists, Citing Security Risks

"The issue of repatriation is a long-term security and justice challenge," said David De Pas, Coordinator of the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the Paris Court, in an interview with AFP.

According to his explanations, the geopolitical instability in Syria and the porosity of what remains of the Kurdish camps leave two things to be feared.

On the one hand, the uncontrolled migration of jihadists to Europe with the risk of attack by highly ideologized individuals and, on the other hand, the reconstitution of particularly seasoned and determined terrorist fighting groups in the region.

The investigating magistrate, who has been in office for four years in the anti-terrorism unit, also mentions an additional risk: "That we find ourselves with new phenomena of pipelines, pull effects of French nationals towards these groups." "We risk starting an endless cycle again," he warns.

However, David De Pas is betting on a political will for repatriation as the panacea to the danger threatening France. "How to protect ourselves if we don’t have them on hand?" he wonders.

In total, France has about 200 adult nationals in the camps and prisons under Kurdish control. However, it is not willing to repatriate them. The reason is that public opinion is very reluctant.