Three individuals face court proceedings in Oslo related to Islamic State participation

Three individuals have gained attention in court proceedings related to participation in the Islamic State (IS) group. This includes two sisters from Bærum and a 34-year-old woman from Oslo, who had previously been convicted for her involvement with IS and has completed her sentence.

The sisters reportedly traveled from Norway to Syria months apart, survived their time in the IS caliphate, and were eventually repatriated by Norwegian authorities. The sisters face charges of joining IS for six and eight years, respectively. They claim that their former friend played an active role in their journey to Syria.

In the Oslo District Court, the eldest sister alleged that her former close friend pressured her to go to Syria, stating that she felt betrayed. She argued that the 34-year-old and her husband heavily influenced her decision, even issuing an ultimatum about their willingness to assist her.

The two became acquainted while involved with a conservative youth organization, where their friendship developed. The eldest sister spoke of how the 34-year-old controlled her and was highly influential in her religious practices. However, the 34-year-old denied these assertions in court, insisting she made her own choice to travel and expressed regret for her decision but not for following anyone else’s direction.

In February 2013, the 34-year-old traveled to Syria, marrying a Norwegian IS fighter. During the trial, she conceded to being radicalized prior to leaving and rejected claims of manipulation from the sisters. The sisters contend they went to Syria to engage in humanitarian work, but the prosecution argues that their intentions were to marry IS fighters, thus actively contributing to the terrorist organization.