Finnish authorities successfully repatriated a minor from Iraq on April 3rd following an Iraqi court’s decision. The boy, who was previously held in the Al-Hol camp in Syria, is the latest among Finnish citizens returning from conflict zones.
Finland facilitated the return of a minor from Iraq on April 3, the Finnish foreign ministry noted in a statement on Saturday.
On March 31st, an Iraqi court ruled to release the Finnish minor from Iraqi custody and transfer him to the Embassy of Finland in Baghdad for his repatriation to Finland.
The boy had been transported to Syria in the mid-2010s. He was subsequently placed in the Al-Hol refugee camp in February 2019. In February 2026, he was moved along with about 5,700 male prisoners from northeast Syria to Baghdad, where the Embassy of Finland confirmed his identity. He holds only Finnish citizenship.
The consular department of the foreign ministry follows the rules in the country’s constitution and the international agreement on children’s rights, as well as the powers given by the consular services law. The decision to send the minor back is, according to the foreign ministry, an official government decision.
Supo warns of potential risks
The Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo) warns that children and youth returning from Syrian conflict zones, including the Al-Hol camp, may have received military or terrorist training.
While returnees generally heighten the terrorism threat in Finland and Europe long-term, Supo deems short-term violent terrorist activities by them in Finland unlikely. Terrorist activities encompass attacks, recruitment and propaganda. The full impact of this phenomenon, according to Supo, may emerge much later.
Al-Hol, a post-ISIS camp holding mainly women and children, is being evacuated by Syria.
Finland has repatriated some citizens.
About a dozen Finns remain in the country.
