Facts
According to the indictment, Deniz B. left Germany in spring 2016 to travel to Syria via Turkey together with his wife. Having reached Syria, both are said to have joined ISIS. Shortly thereafter, the couple allegedly traveled to Mosul, Iraq, where the defendant is said to have undergone military training.
The defendant allegedly performed combat missions and guard duties for the organization, and subsequently held a responsible position in the field of logistics. For his work, Deniz B. allegedly received monthly support from the organization. During his stay in Iraq, the defendant allegedly lived in different residential buildings provided to him and his wife by ISIS, after the lawful residents had fled the approaching forces of the group.
Since his arrest by Kurdish security forces in August 2017, the defendant was in custody in Erbil (northern Iraq) until his repatriation to Germany.
Procedure
On 20 December 2022, after he returned to Germany, Deniz B. was arrested on a warrant of the Federal Court of Justice dated 13 March 2022, and held in pre-trial detention.
On 16 March 2023, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment before the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main bringing charges against Deniz B. He is accused of membership in a terrorist organization abroad and war crimes against property and other rights.
By order of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main dated 31 March 2023, the arrest warrant was suspended subject to conditions.
On 27 July 2023, the Court opened the main proceedings and admitted the indictment. The trial started on 15 December 2023.
On 13 May 2024, Deniz B. was found guilty of membership in a foreign terrorist organization and war crimes against property. He was sentenced to a total term of five years imprisonment.