AANES official says they got no support to try ISIS militants
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – An official in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said they did not receive any support to try foreign “ISIS terrorists,” and the AANES will establish the courts and the needed facilities alone.
The AANES decided on Saturday to begin prosecuting foreign Islamic State “ISIS” militants in its custody in accordance with international and domestic “terrorism” laws.
The decision came after the international community and states failed to answer its calls and appeals to take back their citizens who joined ISIS, according to the AANES.
Badran Chia Kurd, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the AANES, revealed to al-Arabiya TV channel that ISIS’ danger in the region is “growing every day,” especially with thousands of “terrorists” held in detention centers.
The senior official denied receiving any foreign support in establishing these courts, adding that the AANES will do this mission alone despite the challenges it faces.
Chia Kurd stressed that ISIS militants will be tried in the People’s Courts, which used to prosecute only Syrian ISIS militants.
The foreign ISIS militants detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hail from about 60 states, a problem described by the AANES as “international.”
He explained that the courts operate based on the Terrorism Law of the AANES, which was adjusted last year.
The AANES is “determined to try the terrorists and achieve justice,” stressing that they call on the international community once again to effectively participate in these trials by supporting them, he said.
The main reason for establishing these courts, which aim to prosecute the foreign militants, is their years-long presence in detention without trial in AANES areas, according to the official.
He noted that the SDF and the US-led Global Coalition have been fighting “terrorism” for a while, therefore they should work together in these trials.
He added that the cooperation in this cause is considered a continuation of the fight against “terrorism,” stressing that the international community did not respond to the repeated calls of the AANES about establishing these trials in their regions, where the victims of terrorism stay. He said, “It is unacceptable. That is why we will start prosecuting them.”
Chia Kurd called on the international community to participate in this process by sending observers and delegates to hold transparent trials before the public opinion.