Oumaima Chouay, a Quebec woman, has pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a terrorist group by traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and marrying one of its fighters. Her case marks a significant legal milestone as she becomes the first person in Canada convicted specifically for providing support to a terrorist organization through marriage. Following a joint submission by federal prosecutors and her defense, a Quebec court judge sentenced her to serve one day in custody, with credit for the 110 days she has already spent in pretrial detention. She will also be on probation for three years, and three other related charges against her were stayed.
The Public Prosecution Service emphasized that independent experts evaluated Chouay over a period of 30 months, concluding that her risk of reoffending and her danger to society are minimal. George Dolhai, the director of public prosecutions, pointed out that her sentence reflects her demonstrated remorse, responsibility, and commitment to fundamental change in rejecting extremist ideology. The court’s decision prioritizes community safety while considering her demonstrated steps towards rehabilitation.
Chouay joined ISIL as a teenager and ultimately married a German national who was also aligned with the terrorist group. She became a mother to two children while living under ISIL’s doctrine, but there is no evidence to suggest she participated in combat or terrorist activities directly. Despite this, it was acknowledged that she understood the roles women played in ISIL, including aspects of recruitment and propaganda. Her support for the group was deemed significant enough to warrant legal action upon her return to Canada.
Her legal troubles began after she was repatriated from a detention camp in Syria in October 2022. Following her return, she was granted bail in January 2023 under strict conditions. Since then, she has engaged in depolarization therapy, a program designed to help individuals disengage from extremist ideologies. This continued effort for rehabilitation has been critical in shaping the court’s view of her as a lower-risk individual.
Chouay’s journey to Syria began when she left Canada in 2014 at the age of 15. Initially, she traveled to Turkey before crossing into Syria, fully aware of her decision to join ISIL. Court documents reveal that she actively participated in supporting the terrorist group by embracing its ideology and raising her children under its values. However, her attempts to flee the group and return home were thwarted multiple times; she and her daughter were captured by Syrian Democratic Forces after a bid to escape in 2017.
Ultimately, Chouay’s case highlights the complexities associated with individuals who join terrorist organizations and the legal and social challenges that arise upon their return. With her repatriation and subsequent guilty plea, the ongoing discourse around rehabilitation, community safety, and terrorism continues to be a critical conversation in Canada and globally, reflecting a broader societal concern about extremism and its lasting impacts.
