A Swedish court has sentenced 52-year-old Lina Ishaq to 12 years in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Authorities found her guilty of committing brutal acts against Yazidi women and children while she was a member of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.
Yazidi Women and Children Suffered Under IS Rule
Ishaq enslaved three Yazidi women and six children. She forced them to convert to Islam and subjected them to severe abuse. These crimes took place between August 2014 and December 2016 in Raqqa, the former IS capital.
The Swedish court’s ruling marks the first time IS crimes against the Yazidis have been prosecuted in the country. Human rights organizations have welcomed this verdict, calling it a step toward justice for Yazidi victims.
IS Membership and Capture
Ishaq joined IS in 2013 along with around 300 Swedish nationals. According to Sweden’s intelligence service, most of them were women. Many traveled to Syria, believing in IS propaganda that promoted an extremist lifestyle.
Following the collapse of IS in 2017, she fled Raqqa. However, Kurdish fighters in Syria captured her. Later, she managed to escape and entered Turkey. Turkish authorities arrested her along with her children in 2020. Shortly after, Sweden secured her extradition, and she returned to face legal action.
This is not Ishaq’s first conviction. In a previous case, she received a six-year prison sentence for allowing her 12-year-old son to join IS. Prosecutors argued that her actions violated human rights and contributed to IS’s crimes.
Global Impact of IS Crimes
The atrocities committed by IS have led to international legal action. Courts in Germany and France have also prosecuted individuals for their involvement in IS’s brutal crimes against Yazidis. Many countries are now strengthening their legal frameworks to ensure justice for victims.
The Yazidi community continues to call for global accountability. Survivors hope that more courts will recognize and prosecute these crimes. Human rights organizations urge governments to do more to support survivors and prevent future atrocities.
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