Belgian woman sentenced after return from Syria over ISIS ties
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A Belgian court sentenced a woman who voluntarily returned from Syria earlier this year to five years in prison for membership in the extremist group Islamic State (ISIS), local media reported on Thursday.
The Brussels Criminal Court handed the sentence to 31-year-old Fatima C., months after she arrived at Charleroi Airport from Syria and was immediately arrested by Belgian police, according to Belgian newspapers De Standaard, Le Soir, and Bruzz.
Despite prosecutors requesting a lighter sentence of three years in prison, the court imposed a harsher ruling that also included a fine of €9,000. Part of the sentence, however, was suspended under strict conditions, reducing her effective prison term to about three years and four months if she complies with judicial requirements.
Belgian journalist Julien Bialas, who attended the hearing, told The Brussels Times that the ruling was delivered quickly, leaving little time for explanation inside the courtroom.
Fatima C. reportedly appeared shocked by the verdict and broke down in tears after her lawyer explained the decision.
Court documents described her as having grown up in a radical Islamist environment. She reportedly traveled to Syria with her family in 2015 after being influenced by Belgian extremist preacher Jean-Louis Denis, known as “Jean-Louis le Soumis.”
During hearings in April, the defense argued that she had lived “under influence” and no longer posed a threat to society, requesting a second chance and rehabilitation support.
The suspended portion of her sentence includes restrictions on leaving Belgium, mandatory professional training and regular police reporting obligations. Her lawyers are reviewing the judgment before deciding whether to appeal.