The construction of a “dangerous terrorist enemy”: A Swiss case study on the implications of a prophecy

This article presents an analysis of the case of Sami, an Iraqi asylum seeker who was convicted in Switzerland for his alleged affiliation to the group “Islamic State”. On the basis of judicial, clinical and administrative documents, as well as in-depth interviews with Sami and the professionals involved in his case, it analyses how the image of a dangerous “IS” terrorist is gradually cemented. It discusses the main lessons for our understanding of miscarriages of justice (MJ), and our engagement as researchers with the phenomenon of “terrorism” more generally.