Luxembourg justice could try Steve Duarte, a Luxembourg national, who was radicalized and joined the Islamic State (IS) in 2014, reports The Essential Friday morning.
Although detained in a Kurdish prison in Syria since the military fall of Daesh in 2019, an investigation has been opened in Luxembourg. According to information confirmed to the newspaper by the judicial authority, these investigations have already been completed and it is now up to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to finalize the process.
The newspaper also recalls that a court decision rendered by the Luxembourg authorities on November 13 ordered the referral of the case to the criminal section of the Luxembourg district court, thus allowing Steve Duarte to be tried, even in his absence.
Originally from Meispelt
Known as Abu Muhadjir Al Andalousi, the man is believed to have participated in crimes committed by ISIS, including the execution of a prisoner in Mosul, and threatened countries including Portugal, France and the Spain. Steve Duarte is from the village of Meispelt and left Luxembourg in 2014 to join IS, at a time when the terrorist group controlled large territories in Syria and Iraq.
After the military defeat of ISIS in 2019, he was captured by Kurdish forces in northern Syria and remains imprisoned in the city of Hasakah. Despite an attack on his prison by ISIS in 2022, Steve Duarte has not been released.
According to The Essentialthe family of Steve Duarte, who lives in Luxembourg, had difficulty contacting him. She turned to specialized associations for information about his situation and even sought legal support to represent him. However, Steve Duarte and his French wife, also detained by the Kurds with their two children, remain isolated.
The Luxembourger left the Grand Duchy more than ten years ago and there is no indication to date that the authorities intend to repatriate him.
This article was originally published on the website Contact.
Adaptation: Simon Martin
