Swedish legal observers to attend trials of Swedish ISIS members in North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — As a part of a series of meetings that brought together a delegation from the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the institutions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria, Sweden’s Special Envoy for Syria Per Örnéus met with members of the Executive Council of Gozarto (Jazira) Region of North and East Syria the Council’s headquarters in Amuda.

Örnéus, accompanied by Foreign Ministry Advisor on Humanitarian Aid Thomas Markus and Advisor at the European Institute for Peace Aven Jitin, was received by Co-Chairs Nazira Goreya and Talat Younis, Deputy Co-Chair Ali al-Kaoud, and Adviser to the Co-Chairship Jehan Khalil.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the situation in the region, particularly the negative effects of the Turkish occupation on the humanitarian situation in the region.

When asked about the meeting, Goreya explained that the visit of the Swedish Foreign Ministry delegation was a continuation of bilateral relations between Sweden and North and East Syria, noting that the delegation confirmed that the Government of Sweden would work to support the DAA in the international arena in addition to providing support to humanitarian organizations working in the region.

In related news, it was announced today that Swedish nationals being held in North and East Syria suspected of being members of the Islamic State will be put on trial in local courts starting in early 2021. Swedish legal observers will attend.

Cases against Swedish nationals in DAA custody were reportedly prepared over the summer.

Orphans and humanitarian cases will be repatriated back to Sweden.

Thousands of Syrians have been tried by the DAA judicial system, but officials have so far avoided trying foreign nationals without first coming to an agreement with the suspects nation of origin.