Danish court sentences woman for supporting Islamic State

A 34-year-old woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for supporting Islamic State (IS), a terrorist organisation, DR reports. Six months of the sentence must be served; the remainder is suspended.

The Eastern High Court ruled that she knew her husband was a member of IS when she travelled to Syria. She was acquitted by a lower court in May 2025, making her the first woman in cases involving accusations of acting as a housewife for IS to be acquitted.

The woman, who converted to Islam as a young adult, lived in Syria with her children and then-husband. She travelled there for two months in 2013 and returned in 2014 for almost a year. Her husband, described as an IS fighter, died in an attack in June 2015. She was later smuggled out of Syria.

The conviction concerns only her second stay in Syria. The prosecution did not seek a conviction over her first stay.

The court said she knew her husband had joined IS and that she was entering territory controlled by the group. In setting the sentence, it took into account that the charge was brought late and that the offence took place more than 10 years ago.

The Danish Police Intelligence Service (PET) recorded her in 2014 discussing a planned trip to Syria and interviewed her after she returned in 2015. Copenhagen Police learned of the trips in 2022 and opened an investigation. The charge was brought in 2024, and the trial began in March 2025.

Prosecutor Henrik Aagaard said he was satisfied with the ruling, which matched the prosecution’s request. He also agreed with the court that the time elapsed since the woman travelled to Syria should be taken into account.