A Swedish woman, Lina Ishaq, was sentenced to 12 years for enslaving Yazidi women and children in Syria. This is the first conviction in Sweden related to IS atrocities against the Yazidi community. The sentence was reduced from 16 years due to prior convictions. Prosecutors are considering an appeal for a harsher penalty.
A Swedish court has imposed a 12-year prison sentence on a 52-year-old woman for committing genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Yazidi women and children in Syria. This case marks Sweden’s first legal action against atrocities linked to the Islamic State (IS) against the Yazidi community. The woman, named Lina Ishaq, was convicted for enslaving Yazidi individuals at her residence in Raqqa during 2015, where she forced them into labor and enforced religious practices.
Initially, the recommended sentence for her crimes was 16 years. However, the court considered her earlier sentence of six years, handed down in 2022 for facilitating her son’s recruitment as a child soldier by IS. This resulted in a total adjustment of her imprisonment to 12 years.
Prosecutors advocated for a life sentence, citing the severity of her actions. Reena Devgun, a prosecutor in the case, expressed contentment with the convictions but announced plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that a harsher penalty is warranted given the serious nature of the offenses.
The case illustrates Sweden’s efforts to hold individuals accountable for IS-related atrocities against minority groups. Lina Ishaq’s conviction highlights the ongoing legal repercussions for those involved in war crimes, though the prosecutor’s intent to appeal suggests potential for a stricter sentence. This situation underscores the importance of justice for victims of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Original Source: shiawaves.com
