In the interview, Duarte highlighted that he had been charged with spreading propaganda and had never been present for any executions. The now-32-year-old Duarte left to join the Islamic State in 2014. During the interview, he discussed other Portuguese jihadists that he had encountered.
The former Luxembourg resident was taken into custody by a Kurdish militia in Baghouz in March 2019. Currently, Duarte remains imprisoned by the Kurds. In the interview, Duarte reiterated that he missed Luxembourg: he was born in Luxembourg, he has a wife and two children, and he misses his mother, his grandmother, and his aunt.
Steve Duarte: Luxembourg is keeping an eye on a national jihadists: AsselbornDuarte explained that he had provided his mother with a four-page letter expressing his wish to return to Luxembourg and to live a normal life with his family. The letter also includes an apology for his actions and he has claimed that he is ready to face a prison sentence for his crimes.
The Luxembourgish authorities have opened up an investigation against Duarte, who left Luxembourg to join the 'holy war'. As his last previous residence was Luxembourg, he would be tried in Luxembourg.
The interview with RTP aired on Wednesday 24 July and is the second interview given by Duarte within a month. On 27 June, the Portuguese citizen with Luxembourgish roots spoke to the Kurdish channel rudaw.
In both interviews, Duarte provides a similar narrative. He portrays himself as innocent, although he acknowledges his mistake in joining the Islamic State. However, Duarte maintains that he was not involved in any of ISIS's beheadings.
The second interview had a very similar structure, appearing as if Duarte had prepared himself well and knew the message he wanted to share. Equally, it appears that Duarte is aware of the legal difficulties in proving he has committed crimes in Syria.
Video - Interview Luxembourgish IS-fighter: "I made a mistake, and if this mistake merits prison, I am ready to go to prison"The main difference between the interviews is an aesthetic one: in the second interview, Duarte is wearing a black t-shirt rather than the orange outfit he was seen in in the rudaw interview. His beard was also trimmed in the second interview.
Nevertheless, questions remain concerning Duarte's fate. What exactly will his legal fate be? Duarte has expressed his wish to return to Luxembourg and the Kurds are keen to be rid of him. However, does Luxembourg want the former jihadist to return? Finally, questions also surround the role of the Portuguese authorities. Whilst Duarte left Luxembourg to travel to Syria and has roots in the Grand Duchy, he remains a Portuguese citizen.
The interview from 27 June with rudaw.
