Europe | Prison break

France worries about how to handle released terrorists

Many more are due to leave prison soon

|PARIS

“BEING LOCKED up is a piece of piss if the guy was ready to die,” said Youssef, who had been jailed for jihadism. “Ten years in prison? It’s fi sabilillah (in the cause of Allah). I’m going to learn the Koran, and leave even stronger.” Youssef (not his real name) was speaking to Hugo Micheron, a researcher conducting a study on jihadism in France. By the time the book was published last year, Youssef had served his term and been set free.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Reform or relapse?”

Govcoins: The digital currencies that will transform finance

From the May 8th 2021 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Europe

Polish soldiers in a tank participate in the Canadian Army Trophy tank competition at Adazi Military Base, Latvia

How Poland emerged as a leading defence power

Will others follow?

The Russian Army Attacked Kherson With Guided Bombs

Russian pilots appear to be hunting Ukrainian civilians

Residents of Kherson are dodging murderous drones


The “Trumpnado”, a wave shaped like Donald Trump's profile, crushing a boat with a European flag.

Can the good ship Europe weather the Trumpnado?

Tossed by political storms, the continent must dodge a new threat


Spain’s proposed house tax on foreigners will not fix its shortage

Pedro Sánchez will need the opposition’s help to increase supply

A French-sponsored Ukrainian army brigade has been badly botched

The scandal reveals serious weaknesses in Ukraine’s military command

A TV dramatisation of Mussolini’s life inflames Italy

With Giorgia Meloni in power, the fascist past is more relevant than ever