DCU researcher Moign Khawaja speaks to RTÉ News about arrest of Irish citizen in Syria

Moign Khawaja, a DCU School of Law and Government PhD candidate who is conducting research on visual propaganda used by jihadists, on Monday spoke to RTÉ News Six One about the reports of an Irish citizen arrested in Syria by Kurdish forces on charges of fighting for ISIS.

In an interview with Caitríona Perry, a DCU School of Law and Government alumnus, Khawaja said it is not really surprising that a naturalised Irish citizen went on to join ISIS as thousands of other foreign fighters from at least 80 countries also joined their ranks and fought for the terrorist group. He also expressed his views about radicalisation in Ireland, the nuances of radicalisation process, the efforts taken by social media companies to remove extremist content and measures Ireland needs to take in order to counter extremism. The full-length interview can be watched here.

Last year, The Sunday Times quoted Moign Khawaja in an article on Al Qaeda ringleader Ali Charaf Damache whose extradition request was twice refused by Irish courts but was later arrested in Spain and extradited to USA.