Australian woman accused of joining Islamic State group has renounced jihad, her lawyer says
Prosecutors say Rayann El Houli joined Islamic State, radicalized her children and tried to recruit others, while her lawyer says she has renounced violence.
- Rayann El Houli, 34, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday to seek bail on charges of entering a declared conflict zone and joining Islamic State, each carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
- Prosecutors allege El Houli intentionally traveled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 to join Islamic State, married several members, and sought to indoctrinate her children. She left Raqqa in 2019 only when the caliphate was defeated, not as a result of changing views, the court heard.
- Defence barrister Peter Morrissey, SC, told the court his client renounced ISIS and violent jihad, stating "She wants nothing to do with it, not now, not in the future. Not directly or indirectly." El Houli appeared without her niqab as "an act of good faith" to be visible to the magistrate.
- Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan adjourned the bail hearing to allow the defence to organize expert witnesses. Hannan questioned why El Houli had not participated in anti-terrorism programs, citing a "void" of evidence regarding her time in Syrian detention camps.
- AFP Deputy Commissioner National Security Hilda Sirec told a Senate Estimates hearing last week that investigations into returning women are "highly complex," requiring time to ensure evidence meets legal standards. El Houli remains in custody while her legal team secures psychological risk assessments.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Accused ‘ISIS Bride’s’ Lawyer Says She’s Renounced Terror Group
A woman accused of travelling to Syria, joining ISIS and marrying a number of its members has renounced the terror group and violent jihad, her lawyer says. Rayann El Houli, 34, was due to apply for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning but her barrister Peter Morrissey SC sought an adjournment. He told the court the prosecution had raised concerns about El Houli’s risk of endangering the community, claiming there was a lack of e…
Australian Woman Renounces Jihad After Being Accused of Joining IS
Rayann El Houli, an Australian woman facing charges for allegedly joining ISIS, claims her views on jihad have changed. In court, her lawyer stated she renounces violent extremism. El Houli sought bail, facing charges of supporting terrorism and recruiting others, linking back to her time in Syria a decade ago.
Sydney Morning Herald
‘ISIS bride’ accused of trying to indoctrinate children into terrorism before return to Australia
Rayann El Houli insists she has since renounced violent extremism, but hasn’t completed an anti-terror program because it was “a bit much” for her.
Associated Press News
Australian woman accused of joining Islamic State group has renounced jihad, her lawyer says
Police allege an Australian woman charged with joining the Islamic State group expressed views supporting terrorist acts and killing of non-believers, attempted to indoctrinate her children and recruited others to join her in Syria.
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