A woman accused of travelling to Syria, joining the Islamic State and marrying multiple members of the group has formally renounced the terrorist organisation and violent jihad, according to her lawyer.
Rayann El Houli, 34, was scheduled to apply for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning. However, her barrister Peter Morrissey SC requested an adjournment, citing concerns raised by the prosecution regarding El Houli's potential risk to the community. Prosecutors argued there was insufficient evidence that she had renounced Islamic State.
Mr Morrissey told the court he required additional time to gather relevant materials but was instructed to make a statement on behalf of his client. 'She renounces ISIS and violent jihad,' he said. 'She wants nothing to do with it - not now, not in the future, not directly and not indirectly, not for herself and not for the people she loves, and especially not for her children.'
El Houli was charged by Australian Federal Police on Thursday with travelling to a declared conflict zone and joining the terrorist organisation Islamic State. Police allege she travelled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 before being detained by Kurdish forces in 2019 and held with her family at the al-Hawl detention camp in northeast Syria. She returned to Australia in September via Lebanon with her children and another woman.
Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan outlined several allegations against El Houli, including that she intentionally travelled to Syria to join Islamic State, married multiple group members, and expressed radicalised views while in Syria, such as supporting acts of martyrdom and the killing of non-believers. Police also claim she only left Syria after the group was defeated, not due to a change in beliefs.
Mr Morrissey argued that his client's renunciation was evidenced by his statement to the court and her decision to return to Australia. El Houli also showed her face in court on Monday as a 'matter of good faith,' after appearing in a burqa during her first appearance on Thursday. 'It's quite a big deal,' Mr Morrissey said.
The barrister acknowledged that his client had not yet participated in anti-terrorism programs but stated she would be willing to undertake any courses suggested by the prosecution. The defence is also seeking to engage a risk assessment expert to evaluate El Houli before the bail application proceeds.
Chief Magistrate Hannan supported the need for a risk assessment, describing the views El Houli is accused of expressing as 'extremely concerning.' 'These are very serious charges and the risk is serious indeed,' she told the court.
The bail application was adjourned to a date to be fixed, with El Houli remaining in custody.
