Facts
According to the indictment, Stefanie A. traveled to Syria in August 2016 to join ISIS, following her husband who had already been active as an Islamic State (ISIS) fighter since the previous year. She took along her then 13-year-old son.
Stefanie A. initially joined the ISIS-affiliated jihadist militia “Jund al-Aqsa” in Idlib in order to get to Raqqa with the militia’s help. Her son was enlisted in the militia engaged in an armed conflict with rival militias and trained as a fighter. In February 2017, they entered ISIS territory with other members of the militia. Together with her husband and son, Stefanie A. lived first in Raqqa and later in Gharanji and Hajin, while being financially supported by ISIS.
In February 2018, the then 15-year-old son died as a result of a bomb attack on a house in the vicinity of the family home in Hajin.
Procedure
On 24 March 2021, Stefanie A. was transferred to Germany, where she was arrested upon arrival.
On 21 October 2021, the Federal Prosecutor charged Stefanie A. with membership in foreign terrorist organizations as well as war crimes by integrating her son into armed groups in connection with a non-international armed conflict and by aiding and abetting active participation in hostilities. In relation to her role as a parent, further charges were brought for violation of the duty of care and upbringing as well as negligent homicide.
On 24 March 2022, the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg found Stefanie A. guilty of membership in a foreign terrorist organization, war crimes, violation of the duty of care and upbringing as well as negligent homicide. She was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.