After RTL Television aired a report on the former Luxembourg resident Steve Duarte's journey joining the Islamic State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was the editorial guest on RTL Radio's Thursday morning show.
Wednesday evening's report explored Duarte's journey leaving Luxembourg to join the Islamic State in Syria and his eventual capture by Kurdish forces. The report featured an interview with Duarte in Luxembourgish.
Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs, reacted to the segment, stating 'If someone voluntarily goes to such a place, it is clearly because they've got something in mind.' He retorted that 'people do not go there [Syria] to take photos, we know what happens in Syria.' He added that Duarte has spent enough time boasting about his exploits in Syria on social media.
The minister had a rather radical conclusion, stating that if someone voluntarily joins the 'cretins' of the Islamic State, it is as if someone would voluntarily join the guards of a concentration camp under the Nazi regime.
Finally, Asselborn stated that he has full confidence in the Luxembourgish legal system, highlighting the existing state of law in the Grand Duchy. The minister also provided reassurances to citizens concerned that former members of Isis could return to Luxembourg and move about freely. According to Asselborn, this is not the case.
Video in Luxembourgish
