"There is no perfect answer to this question," says Sofia Koller, a senior research analyst at the Berlin office of the Counter Extremism Project, or CEP, who's written several reports on the topic. "Politically it [repatriation] is controversial but from many other perspectives, it's not at all. Especially if we consider what the negative outcomes of not repatriating might be — that is, the kinds of outcomes we're seeing at the moment."
Although the proceedings were complex and required considerable resources, they led to a thorough investigation in many places. This includes groundbreaking decisions such as the first conviction of an IS returnee for genocide against the Yazidis (Section 6 of the International Criminal Code (VstGB)). Compared to other European countries, Germany has done a good job here, especially in international criminal law, according to extremism researcher Sofia Koller from the Counter Extremism Project in an interview with LTO.
CEP senior research analyst Sofia Koller talks to BR about German men, women, and children who are still in Syria.
Against the backdrop of a deteriorating security situation in Northeast Syria, new analysis from the Counter Extremism Project examines whether Germany’s rehabilitation framework is equipped to manage the long-term domestic risks posed by former...
A call to Sofia Koller. She is observing the Munich trial for the Counter Extremism Project, an NGO that attempts to disrupt the financial flows of extremist groups. In recent years, Koller has followed a number of ISIS trials, including those involving women defendants. And she noticed a pattern when the treatment of female slaves was discussed. "When it came to gaining an advantage for themselves, the women often accepted the female slaves, sometimes even approving of their purchase," because the slaves did the housework. But also because, unlike a second wife, they posed no competition.
In February 2015, Shamima Begum, Kadiza Sultana, and Amira Abase—aged between 15 and 16—traveled from Bethnal Green (East London) to Syria to join ISIS, following the same route taken three months earlier by their friend, Sharmeena Begum. While the...
Marius Müller-Hennig
Advisor on Freedom, Law, and Internal Security, Analysis, Planning, and Consulting Department, Friedrich Ebert Foundation
On December 16, 2025, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted a webinar, "From Caliphate to Prison – How Germany is Rehabilitating ISIS Returnees," based on a report by CEP Germany Senior Research Analyst Sofia Koller. Ms. Koller presented key insights from her paper. Torben Adams, Head of Division, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Bremen, Germany, will be comparing Germany’s experience to that of other affected countries in Europe and the Middle East. With opening remarks from Marius Müller-Hennig, Advisor on Freedom, Law, and Internal Security, Analysis, Planning, and Consulting Department, Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
The CEP policy paper serves as a starting point to reflect on Germany’s approaches to the rehabilitation of ISIS returnees, discuss ongoing challenges, and present policy recommendations.
Read it here: https://counterextre.me/FromCaliphateToPrison
Torben Adams
Head of Division, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Bremen, Germany
On December 16, 2025, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted a webinar, "From Caliphate to Prison – How Germany is Rehabilitating ISIS Returnees," based on a report by CEP Germany Senior Research Analyst Sofia Koller. Ms. Koller presented key insights from her paper. Torben Adams, Head of Division, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Bremen, Germany, will be comparing Germany’s experience to that of other affected countries in Europe and the Middle East. With opening remarks from Marius Müller-Hennig, Advisor on Freedom, Law, and Internal Security, Analysis, Planning, and Consulting Department, Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
The CEP policy paper serves as a starting point to reflect on Germany’s approaches to the rehabilitation of ISIS returnees, discuss ongoing challenges, and present policy recommendations.
Read it here: https://counterextre.me/FromCaliphateToPrison
Sofia Koller
Senior Research Analyst, CEP
On December 16, 2025, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted a webinar, "From Caliphate to Prison – How Germany is Rehabilitating ISIS Returnees," based on a report by CEP Germany Senior Research Analyst Sofia Koller. Ms. Koller presented key insights from her paper. Torben Adams, Head of Division, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Bremen, Germany, will be comparing Germany’s experience to that of other affected countries in Europe and the Middle East. With opening remarks from Marius Müller-Hennig, Advisor on Freedom, Law, and Internal Security, Analysis, Planning, and Consulting Department, Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
The CEP policy paper serves as a starting point to reflect on Germany’s approaches to the rehabilitation of ISIS returnees, discuss ongoing challenges, and present policy recommendations.
Read it here: https://counterextre.me/FromCaliphateToPrison
After a trial that lasted more than two years, a German court found Nils D., also known as “Abu Ibrahim al-Almani,” guilty of murder in conjunction with war crimes against individuals and membership in a terrorist organization abroad. The German...
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