Cornelia Lotthammer
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“One red flag is when you notice that the answers are answers he thinks you want to hear.”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer described a red flag as recognizing that a participant's answers are what they think the evaluators want to hear.
“Our colleagues could tell that he wasn't very interested in a real deradicalization process,”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer said staff could tell Ballout was not genuinely interested in a real deradicalization process.
“He gave the answers they wanted to hear. But of course, our colleagues noticed this,”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer explained that Ballout gave answers the staff expected but that colleagues noticed the insincerity.
“We did what we were supposed to do,”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer defended the deradicalization program's actions, saying they fulfilled their responsibilities.
“Why didn't authorities start this process very much earlier? He was known for being a radical for a long time,”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
The communications director of the deradicalization program that evaluated the suspect questioned why authorities did not act sooner given his known radicalization.
“he was very radicalized and for a long time.”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer said staff had the strong impression Ballout was not suitable for the deradicalization program because of his long-standing radicalization.
“We help them with a flat and with a job. We have to make sure that this person gets totally integrated into society,”
Cornelia Lotthammer · said 2026-07-27 · reported 2026-07-27
Lotthammer explained that the Violence Prevention Network helps reintegrate people who have detached from extremist ideology by providing housing and employment.