"A Luxembourg resident is still suspected of being in a conflict zone," Asselborn wrote. Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs maintained that it was an isolated case: "apart from this person, the authorities have [...] no knowledge of another Luxembourg national in a conflict zone."
In a parliamentary response published on Monday, Asselborn confirmed that the question of returning IS jihadists also affects the Grand Duchy. As the widely publicised case of Shamima Begum has shown, the issue is one that is dividing Europe. Some countries are debating whether it is possible to "repatriate" Jihadi fighters held in Kurdish-controlled prisons. It is estimated that around 900 fighters are currently incarcerated in such prisons. Apart from the prisoners, there are also former fighters who left Syria and Iraq voluntarily as the final pockets of the Islamic State crumble.
CSV MP Laurent Mosar prompted Asselborn to shed light on Luxembourg's stance in this context. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, in return, based his reply on Luxembourg's legal system, explaining that an international arrest warrant may be issued.
If the person in question decides to return out of his own free will, Luxembourg is legally obliged to admit a Luxembourgish national to the country. The person in question would, however, be placed under surveillance.
Unsurprisingly, intelligence services are ringing the alarm bells. Terrorist fighters coming back from conflict zones are naturally monitored and prosecuted, if necessary.
The return of a jihadist fighter begs another question: should this man be granted consular assistance? In his reply, Asselborn explained that every citizen of the European Union has a right to consular assistance and diplomatic protection, either from a Luxembourgish embassy or from consular authorities representing any other member state.
Shamima Begum: The 'jihadi bride' behind Britain's moral dilemma
IS teen's Dutch husband seeks return to Netherlands
