Salzburg Woman Sentenced to 24 Months Suspended Prison for IS Involvement

A 28-year-old woman from Salzburg, Maria G., has been sentenced to a suspended prison term of 24 months by the Salzburg Regional Court on charges related to terrorist organizations and criminal associations. During the proceedings, she admitted her actions, reflecting on her radicalization and departure for Syria in 2014. The court's decision is final.

The prosecution accused G. of traveling to Syria in 2014, where she joined the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State (IS), heavily influenced by propaganda films. However, the prosecutor acknowledged that no evidence was found to implicate her in any violent actions or atrocities.

The case garnered significant media attention as the prosecutor emphasized the importance of reintegrating individuals who have made poor choices rather than seeking retribution. G. was noted to have inflicted harm primarily on herself and her family.

G.'s troubled youth included experiences of panic attacks, anxiety about the future, and a sense of disorientation. Her journey into radicalization reportedly began through social media, leading to her conversion to Islam in late 2013. Her relationship with her Muslim boyfriend deteriorated partly due to their differing views on radical beliefs.

She entered into a marriage with an IS fighter from Germany via Skype and subsequently traveled to Syria on June 28, 2014. After a brief marriage, she married another IS combatant from Denmark and gave birth to two sons, aged eight and ten, while living in various IS-controlled areas, supported by the organization in terms of finances and sustenance.

The prosecution claimed that G. played a role in reinforcing her husbands' commitment to the IS ideology through her presence. In 2019, she and her sons managed to escape from the last IS stronghold through a humanitarian corridor. Following her husband's death in combat, G. was captured and spent several months in the Al-Hol camp before being moved to the Roj detention camp in northern Syria.

Her family worked tirelessly to secure her return to Austria, initially seeking only the return of her minor sons. Eventually, Austrian authorities facilitated the return of G. and her children on March 1, 2025, and she has since been free.

G.'s defense attorney argued that the offenses occurred over a decade ago when she was a teenager grappling with significant mental health challenges, which contributed to her radicalization. The attorney highlighted that G. cooperated extensively with investigators, providing thorough answers during multiple lengthy interrogations.

Upon her return to Austria, G. voluntarily engaged in a deradicalization program, sought probation assistance, and secured employment and therapy. She expressed her regret over her past decisions, acknowledging that leaving for Syria was the greatest mistake of her life and that she had already endured a severe punishment through her years in captivity.

During the court's deliberation, it was indicated that a custodial sentence would be counterproductive given her circumstances. The court mandated probation support, continued participation in deradicalization initiatives, and access to psychotherapy, setting a probation period of three years for her suspended sentence.