FPÖ warns: IS returnees are ticking time bombs for Austria!

FPÖ warns: IS returnees are ticking time bombs for Austria!

Wien, Österreich - FPÖ general secretary Michael Schledlitz expresses sharp criticism of the return of IS returnees to Austria. He describes these people as "ticking time bombs", regardless of gender or role in the Islamic state. In his opinion, it is irresponsible to bring back people who have joined IS. He demands the withdrawal of Austrian citizenship for such individuals and describes the actions of the ÖVP under their interior minister as the promotion of illegal immigration.

Schledlitz also calls for a prohibition law against political Islam and speaks out for a "fortress Austria" to ensure the security of the population. He sees the return of IS returnees as a "slap in the face of the Austrians" and as a mockery of the victims of Islamist attacks. Evelyn T. also takes place today; Its custody has been extended due to the risk of crime and escape, which further underpinned the risk situation.

Return of IS fighters to Europe

The return of former IS fighters to Europe is a serious security risk, as experts warn. Terror researcher Nicolas Stockhammer emphasizes that after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, there is an uncontrolled return of IS fighters. Currently, around 9,000 fighters, including around 2,000 foreigners, are imprisoned in Kurdish prisons in Syria, which the situation continues to complicate. Islamism expert Guido Steinberg illuminates the risks that result from the return of these people. A particularly explosive topic is the possible radicalization of the children of IS fighters who could also return.

According to the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are fewer than ten people with Austrian citizenship in camps in Syria. There are about half of these among these. The debate about the withdrawal of Maria G. and her children testifies to the challenges in front of which the authorities are faced with the security of the population.

long -term risks of returnees

A look at the developments in Germany shows that since 2012 over 970 people have traveled to Iraq and Syria to fight for "IS". Around a third of these people have now returned. Returners could be a long -term danger, especially if they were ideologically indoctrinated or militarily trained. In addition, IS could target attacks in western countries.

The security authorities are required to collect and evaluate information about these returnees in order to prevent future terrorist attacks. International cooperation is essential because terrorism is a transnational phenomenon. The Schengen area facilitates freedom of movement, but also represents a challenge for security, since the exchange of information between the Member States must be improved.

In order to be able to react to the current challenges, it is important that security authorities adapt to new trends and increasingly rely on prevention and deradicalization measures in order to reduce the potential of violent Islamist scene in the long term. The ethical and security policy debate about the return to values and norms as well as about dealing with the past remains in focus.

For more information on the topics of returnees and terrorism, you can report the reporting of OTS , The press and BPB Read.