Latest news with #OumaimaChouay
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Quebec woman pleads guilty to joining ISIL, sentenced to one day in custody
MONTREAL — A Quebec woman who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and marry one of its fighters, has pleaded guilty to one count of participating in the activities of a terrorist group. A Quebec court judge agreed to a joint submission from the federal Crown and lawyers for Oumaima Chouay — she will serve one day in custody in addition to the 110 days she spent in pretrial detention, and be on probation for three years. As part of her guilty plea, three other terror-related charges were stayed. Federal prosecutors say Chouay is the first person convicted in Canada for providing support to a terror group by marrying a fighter. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada said independent experts who examined Chouay, 29, over the past 30 months concluded that her risk of recidivism and her dangerousness to society are very low. The RCMP share that assessment. 'The recommended sentence here takes into consideration the early, ongoing, demonstrated and independently evaluated steps Ms. Chouay has taken to demonstrate remorse, take responsibility, commit to fundamental change and a rejection of extremist ideology,' George Dolhai, director of public prosecutions, said in a statement. 'This addresses the ultimate goal of protecting the community.' Chouay admitted to joining the Islamic State, marrying a fighter and having two children with him to be raised under ISIL doctrine. She is not suspected of having participated in combat or terrorist activities. Chouay was charged after being repatriated to Canada from a detention camp in Syria in October 2022. She was granted bail in January 2023 under strict conditions, and authorities say she has attended depolarization therapy and will continue to do so. The RCMP investigation began several years earlier in 2014, when she left Canada as a teenager for Turkey before crossing into Syria. '(She) knew that by joining the Islamic State, she would be participating in the activities of this terrorist group,' court documents say. '(She) knew, at the time of joining the Islamic State, the various roles of women within this terrorist group, including assistance with recruitment on social media, the creation and distribution of propaganda, as well as a role in supporting fighters and founding a family raised in accordance with the values of the Islamic State.' Less than a month after her arrival in the Middle East, she was married to a German national who had also travelled to the region to join ISIL. She lived in Iraq and Syria during her time with ISIL, giving birth to her first child in November 2015. Court documents say that before the fall of the Islamic State, she had told her mother she wanted to leave. In November 2017, Chouay and her young daughter attempted to flee but were captured by Syrian Democratic Forces. She gave birth to her second child between November 2017 and January 2018. She was held under harsh conditions at the Roj camp in northeastern Syria in a region recaptured from ISIL. That's where she remained until her repatriation to Canada, along with her two children and another Canadian woman, Kimberly Polman, from Squamish, B.C. Polman is charged with leaving Canada to participate in a terrorist group's activities, and participation in the activity of a terrorist group. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Quebec woman pleads guilty to joining ISIL, sentenced to one day in custody
MONTREAL — A Quebec woman who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and marry one of its fighters, has pleaded guilty to one count of participating in the activities of a terrorist group. Article content A Quebec court judge agreed to a joint submission from the federal Crown and lawyers for Oumaima Chouay — she will serve one day in custody in addition to the 110 days she spent in pretrial detention, and be on probation for three years. As part of her guilty plea, three other terror-related charges were stayed. Article content Article content Article content Federal prosecutors say Chouay is the first person convicted in Canada for providing support to a terror group by marrying a fighter. Article content Article content The Public Prosecution Service of Canada said independent experts who examined Chouay, 29, over the past 30 months concluded that her risk of recidivism and her dangerousness to society are very low. The RCMP share that assessment. Article content 'The recommended sentence here takes into consideration the early, ongoing, demonstrated and independently evaluated steps Ms. Chouay has taken to demonstrate remorse, take responsibility, commit to fundamental change and a rejection of extremist ideology,' George Dolhai, director of public prosecutions, said in a statement. Article content 'This addresses the ultimate goal of protecting the community.' Article content Chouay admitted to joining the Islamic State, marrying a fighter and having two children with him to be raised under ISIL doctrine. She is not suspected of having participated in combat or terrorist activities. Article content Article content Chouay was charged after being repatriated to Canada from a detention camp in Syria in October 2022. She was granted bail in January 2023 under strict conditions, and authorities say she has attended depolarization therapy and will continue to do so. Article content Article content The RCMP investigation began several years earlier in 2014, when she left Canada as a teenager for Turkey before crossing into Syria. Article content '(She) knew that by joining the Islamic State, she would be participating in the activities of this terrorist group,' court documents say. Article content '(She) knew, at the time of joining the Islamic State, the various roles of women within this terrorist group, including assistance with recruitment on social media, the creation and distribution of propaganda, as well as a role in supporting fighters and founding a family raised in accordance with the values of the Islamic State.'
Global News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Quebec woman who joined ISIL pleads guilty to supporting terror group
A Quebec woman who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and marry one of its fighters, has pleaded guilty to one count of participating in the activities of a terrorist group. A Quebec court judge agreed to a joint submission from the federal Crown and lawyers for Oumaima Chouay — she will serve one day in custody in addition to the 110 days she spent in pretrial detention and be on probation for three years. As part of her guilty plea, three other terror-related charges were stayed. Federal prosecutors say Chouay is the first person convicted in Canada for providing support to a terror group by marrying a fighter. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada said independent experts who examined Chouay, 29, over the past 30 months concluded that her risk of recidivism and her dangerousness to society are very low. The RCMP share that assessment. Story continues below advertisement 'The recommended sentence here takes into consideration the early, ongoing, demonstrated and independently evaluated steps Ms. Chouay has taken to demonstrate remorse, take responsibility, commit to fundamental change and a rejection of extremist ideology,' George Dolhai, director of public prosecutions, said in a statement. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This addresses the ultimate goal of protecting the community.' Chouay admitted to joining the Islamic State, marrying a fighter and having two children with him to be raised under ISIL doctrine. She is not suspected of having participated in combat or terrorist activities. Chouay was charged after being repatriated to Canada from a detention camp in Syria in October 2022. She was granted bail in January 2023 under strict conditions, and authorities say she has attended depolarization therapy and will continue to do so. The RCMP investigation began several years earlier in 2014, when she left Canada as a teenager for Turkey before crossing into Syria. '(She) knew that by joining the Islamic State, she would be participating in the activities of this terrorist group,' court documents say. '(She) knew, at the time of joining the Islamic State, the various roles of women within this terrorist group, including assistance with recruitment on social media, the creation and distribution of propaganda, as well as a role in supporting fighters and founding a family raised in accordance with the values of the Islamic State.' Story continues below advertisement Less than a month after her arrival in the Middle East, she was married to a German national who had also travelled to the region to join ISIL. She lived in Iraq and Syria during her time with ISIL, giving birth to her first child in November 2015. Court documents say that before the fall of the Islamic State, she had told her mother she wanted to leave. In November 2017, Chouay and her young daughter attempted to flee but were captured by Syrian Democratic Forces. She gave birth to her second child between November 2017 and January 2018. She was held under harsh conditions at the Roj camp in northeastern Syria in a region recaptured from ISIL. That's where she remained until her repatriation to Canada, along with her two children and another Canadian woman, Kimberly Poman, from Squamish, B.C. Poman is charged with leaving Canada to participate in a terrorist group's activities, and participation in the activity of a terrorist group.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Quebec woman who joined ISIL pleads guilty to supporting terror group
Published Jul 22, 2025 • 1 minute read Joint submissions on sentencing from the prosecution and defence saw Oumaima Chouay sentenced Monday to one day of custody, in addition to the 110 days she served in pretrial detention, as well as a three-year probation order. Photo by Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press MONTREAL — A Quebec woman who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State and marry one of its fighters has pleaded guilty to one count of participating in the activities of a terrorist group. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Crown and lawyers for Oumaima Chouay made joint submissions for the sentence that was delivered on Monday in Quebec court — one day in custody in addition to 110 days spent in pretrial detention, and three years of probation. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says experts who examined Chouay over the past 30 months concluded that her risk of recidivism and her dangerousness to society are very low. Chouay was charged after being repatriated to Canada from a detention in camp in Syria in October 2022. She has admitted to joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, marrying a fighter and having two children with him. Chouay is not suspected of having participated in combat, and the Crown says she is the first person convicted in Canada for providing support to a terror group by marrying a fighter. Columnists Television Sunshine Girls Canada Celebrity
Montreal Gazette
6 days ago
- Montreal Gazette
Montreal woman convicted of joining ISIS
Montreal Crime In what federal prosecutors are describing as a legal first, a 29-year-old Montreal woman was convicted this week of providing support to a terrorist entity through family support as a spouse. In a communiqué, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) said that Oumaima Chouay was convicted on Monday, July 21 after admitting to travelling to Syria to join the ranks of Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS), 'knowing that her expected role would include marrying an ISIS fighter and raising children under the ISIS doctrine.' The PPSC added, however, that Chouay 'is not suspected of having participated directly in terrorist activities, namely actual combat.' Joint submissions on sentencing from the prosecution and defence saw Chouay sentenced Monday to one day of custody, in addition to the 110 days she served in pretrial detention, as well as a three-year probation order. Chouay was also ordered to avoid 'all direct or indirect contact with people and entities associated to extremism,' and she will be required to continue her participation in 'depolarization therapy.' The PPSC wrote that 'independent psychiatric and psychological experts in the field of terrorism evaluated Chouay's progress over the past 30 and a half months and concluded that the risk of recidivism and dangerousness is very low.' It added that the RCMP-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Team 'shared the assessment that she does not present a significant risk to Canadian society.'
