In Bosnia’s First ‘Deradicalised’ Syria Fighter, Limited Lessons

Ahmetspahic, however, is unique; he is the only repatriated Bosnian fighter to be medically certified in court as 'deradicalised'.

Experts say his case offers hope for state efforts to 'deradicalise' returning fighters, but caution against over-optimism, saying that the process of radicalisation and deradicalisation are complex and unique to each individual.

"On the basis of examinations, we… determined there was no tendency towards simulation; his statements were genuine," said neuro-psychiatrist Abdulah Kucukalic, whose presented his findings to the court at the request of the prosecution.

"He was saying what he felt," Kucukalic told BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina. "He could have tried to soften his words, but he did not."

Nothing happens 'overnight'

Munib Ahmetspahic. Photo: Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia outlawed fighting in or recruiting for foreign wars in 2014, in response to the flow of Muslim Bosniaks joining militant groups such as Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

The fall of the self-proclaimed ISIS caliphate early last year has seen dozens returned along with, in many cases, their wives and children. Authorities are currently investigating seven people who returned to Bosnia by plane on December 19.

In 17 separate cases, more than two dozen have already been jailed, but only Ahmetspahic was deemed to have 'deradicalised'.

Authorities hope a special program of deradicalisation will help address a big part of the challenge posed by the return of dozens of former fighters from Syria.

Psychologists are cautious about the potential impact of the deradicalisation program in Bosnia, however, and of the lessons the Ahmetspahic case might provide.

"It is very important...