French Court Sentences Three Women Returning from Syria for ISIS Membership
A French court sentenced three women who returned from Syria to prison terms ranging from 10 to 13 years after convicting them of belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) organization. The sentences were issued on Friday, marking a significant development in France's handling of returning foreign fighters and their families.
Details of the Sentences
Jennifer Clan, 34, received an 11-year prison sentence. Her mother-in-law, Christine Allain, 67, was sentenced to 13 years, with the possibility of conditional release after serving two-thirds of the term. Mayalen Duhart, 42, the wife of Christine Allain's second son, was given a 10-year sentence with a deferred deposit authorization.
Background and Return to France
The three women traveled to Syria with their children in June 2014. According to reports, they refused to return to France and instead lived with other women affiliated with the ISIS organization. They eventually returned to France in September 2019, accompanied by nine children aged between 3 and 13. They had been arrested three months prior in the Kilis province, near the Syrian border.
Connection to the Paris Attacks
Jennifer Clan is the niece of the Clan brothers, Jean-Michel and Fabien Clain, who claimed responsibility for the devastating November 13, 2015, attacks in Paris on behalf of ISIS. It is believed that the Clan brothers were killed in Syria. During the trial, Jennifer Clan offered apologies to the victims, stating, "I do not ask for their forgiveness; it is an unforgivable act, but I offer them my deepest and sincerest apologies."
Repatriation and Public Sentiment in France
France has been grappling with the complex issue of repatriating citizens who joined extremist groups in Syria and Iraq. In mid-September of the current year, France repatriated 3 women and 10 children from prisons in northern Syria, marking the first such operation in two years. These repatriations are a sensitive subject in France, which has suffered numerous attacks by extremist groups, most notably the 2015 attack that resulted in the deaths of 130 people in Paris.
Statements from the Accused
During the proceedings, the women expressed varying degrees of remorse and accountability. Jennifer Clan, whose children have been placed in foster care, apologized to them for the impact of her choices. Mayalen Duhart acknowledged her responsibility, stating, "I am not a victim. The victims are the others, those who were tortured and massacred by the organization I belonged to. I am responsible."
Legal Reactions
Jennifer Clain's lawyer, Guillaume Halbique, described the verdict as "balanced," noting that her client’s commitment to the Islamic State group "is completely behind her and has been for many years," adding that she was unlikely to appeal.
