Sisters face court scrutiny over Syria trip from Bærum

The questioning of the youngest of two sisters from Bærum continued in court this week. The prosecution focused on the time before the 16-year-old sneaked out of her childhood home and made her way to Syria, stating that her goal was humanitarian work. The 27-year-old sister described that period as tiring yet exhilarating, saying she had never kept a significant secret from her family before.

The prosecution argues that the teenager had become radicalized during her time away, a claim her sister disputes. To support their case, the prosecution presented photos and videos found on the younger sister’s mobile phone and computer, which included images of weapons and quotes about martyrdom.

The accused had searched terms such as “jihad women,” “death nasheed,” Taliban, and Al Qaida. The sister explained in court that discussions surrounding jihad were taboo in Islam, and she had a curiosity about the topic. She concluded that while Al Qaida did not represent the right form of jihad, the rebels in Syria did.

In December 2012, she discussed with a friend the desire to join jihad in Syria, responding enthusiastically, “Heck yeah, I have a dream!!!” She expressed that martyrdom was vital in jihadist ideology, viewing it as a pathway to paradise.

In court, when asked whether she was keen on becoming a martyr, she acknowledged the allure, admitting that while she understood the dangers involved in humanitarian work in Syria, she felt assured that martyrdom would guarantee her a place in paradise.

The younger sister was just 16 when she traveled to Syria, where she faced a challenging marriage with a British fighter. She claimed intent to establish a defensive training camp for women, a plan she insisted was never linked to IS or considered militant in nature.