URFA - Northern and Eastern Syria Communications Department Co-Chair Ciwan Mele Ġbrahim stated that they decided to try more than 10 thousand ISIS members in the People's Protection Courts before the people and explained the trial process.

 

The Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria announced on June 10 that ISIS members in prisons in their regions will be prosecuted. In the statement, it was stated that ISIS members will be tried fairly according to international and local laws. More than 10 thousand ISIS members are expected to be tried under the umbrella of the People's Protection Court and the Social Justice Council. Ciwan Mele Ibrahim, Co-Chair of the Autonomous Administration Communications Department, spoke to the Mesopotamia Agency (MA) about the trial process of ISIS members.

 

CALLS LEFT UNANSWERED

 

Stating that more than 10 thousand ISIS members held in different prisons are citizens of 60 different countries, İbrahim said: "We had called on the states to take their own citizens many times. Our calls were left unanswered. Dozens of calls were made under two headings: 'Come, take their citizens to trial in their own country or establish an international court. This court can be established in Northern and Eastern Syria, it can be established abroad; however, calls have always been left unanswered. When delegations from the international community visited Northern and Eastern Syria, they also visited the families of ISIS members and took some of them away; however, a permanent solution has not yet been found."

 

'ISIS IS A THREAT TO THE WHOLE WORLD'

 

Comparing the imprisoned ISIS members and their families held in the camps to a "time bomb", Ibrahim said: "It is not clear when they will explode. If they explode, they bring with them great destruction. What happened on January 20, 2022 in Sina Prison in Hesekê's Xiwêran District still retains its place in our memories. The security problems in prisons where ISIS members are held are in sight. The attacks and threats made with the support of Turkey in the region are clear. These gangs are not just a threat to Northern and Eastern Syria, they are a threat to the whole world. These gangs are called 'world terrorism'. The peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria fought hard against these gangs and tens of thousands of our friends were martyred. We do not allow the hard work of our friends to be wasted. There has to be a solution to this. This is also against international law. These gangs have been imprisoned for years without trial. This is a problem in itself.”

 

HOW WILL ISIS BE JUDGED?

 

Stating that some regulations regarding "terrorism" have been made in the Autonomous Administration laws in the last year, Îbrahim said: " ISIS members will be tried under the umbrella of the People's Protection Court and the Social Justice Council with the regulations made. Meetings are held on how the trials will be conducted. A trial will be held within the framework of the crimes committed and documents. Relevant international legislation will also be taken into account while the trials are held. Preparations are underway, the courts will begin in a few days. The courts will be open to the public. The families of the people who lost their lives in the attacks will also participate. We will send invitations to all international law institutions. The invitation will be sent to the state in which the ISIS gangs on trial are citizens. These courts will be held in a transparent manner."

 

'INTERNATIONAL FORCES DON'T WANT THE FILES TO BE OPENED'

 

Stating that the international forces are afraid of the prosecution of ISIS members and they do not want the files to be opened, Ibrahim said: "The words spoken remain only in rhetoric. Everyone has the same opinion, they agree with us, they say that they cannot continue like this, but they do not take a step. The cooperation between Turkey and ISIS goes back a long time. 80 percent of the ISIS members who came to Northern and Eastern Syria came through the Turkish border. This is a documented and clear thing. No one can hide it. The sun is not covered with mud. States that think of their own interests do not want these files to be opened for this reason. Turkey has been involved in many attacks. It openly supported the ISIS members. Since Turkey is a NATO member, the international community bases its interests on Turkey. No one is in an effort to save the world from the ISIS scourge."

 

'WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO LOSE'

 

Stating that the people also have expectations at the point of trial, Ibrahim continued: "People want to live in peace. They are waiting for a solution to these time bombs that are among us. Their children gave their lives. All our forces have fulfilled their duty. Geographically ending ISIS was the first move. This has resulted in success. Now we need a second move. This move is the trial of ISIS members, removing them from a position that will cause security problems. Not only ISIS members being held in prison, but also their families cause security problems in the camps. If this problem is not resolved, the world will never be comfortable.  We don't have time to waste anymore. We are ready to solve this problem."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar