In 2015, the then 15-year-old accused joined IS and married one of its fighters, the court spokesman said. She identified herself with the goals of the terrorist militia and contributed “to the best of her ability” to promoting them. Among other things, the young person was employed in a hospital belonging to the organization. She also reportedly owned a firearm and temporarily had “power over a Kalashnikov” – a weapon that is subject to the War Weapons Control Act.

However, the court did not see sufficient evidence for the alleged aid in keeping a Yazidi slave. The contact with the slave kept by her husband was only “occasional,” the spokesman explained the court’s decision.

The judges gave a positive assessment of the “largely confessed pleadings of the accused, no previous convictions and a high willingness to deal with the crime.” The spokesman went on to say that the young woman had shown a strong will to resocialize. She is committed “to a very considerable extent” to reintegrate into social life. This includes parental care for their children and their efforts in education.

Years ago, an ARD documentary followed the father’s efforts to bring his daughter back and portrayed the girl at the time as a very naive but by no means malicious character. This lack of “harmful tendencies” was also confirmed by the court of the now 22-year-old, who took note of the verdict without the support of her family in the courtroom.

The verdict is not yet legally binding. The defendant and the prosecution can appeal against this within a week.