A so-called ISIS bride tried to indoctrinate her own children into radical views and encouraged other Australians to travel to Syria but has since renounced violent jihad, a court has heard.
However, Rayann El Houli, 34, has not completed any anti-terror programs in the eight months she has been back in Australia, because it was “a bit much” for her, Melbourne Magistrates’ Court was told.
El Houli, of Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north, appeared in court on Monday charged with terrorism offences.
She is accused of travelling to Syria and entering or remaining in declared areas, and being a member of a terrorist organisation. Police oppose her bid for bail.
Defence barrister Peter Morrissey, SC, said his client returned to Australia knowing she might be charged, but she has renounced ISIS and violent jihad, and wants nothing to do with them directly or indirectly for herself or those she loves.
Morrissey said El Houli preferred to dress in traditional Muslim attire but came to court on Monday without it on as an “act of good faith” to allow the magistrate to see her “face to face”.
“She’s prepared to submit to the court in that way. To be seen, to be recognised,” Morrissey said.
El Houli had appeared in court for a filing hearing on Thursday wearing a niqab, a full-face covering with only her eyes visible.
The court heard the allegations in the police summary included that the 34-year-old intentionally travelled to Syria to join Islamic State and accept the benefits of being a member.
Police allege that while she was there, she married a number of members and expressed radicalised views and support for terrorist acts including martyrdom.
Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan said El Houli was also accused of expressing support for the killing of non-believers, sought to indoctrinate her children in radical views, and tried to get other Australians to go to Syria to follow ISIS.
El Houli later left Raqqa, in Syria, when the caliphate was defeated, “not as a result of changing views”, the court heard.
Hannan questioned why El Houli had not participated in anti-terrorism programs since returning to Australia, highlighting there was a “void” of evidence regarding what happened while the accused was in a camp abroad.
Hannan also said there was no evidence about how El Houli escaped the camp and was smuggled out of Syria, or who helped and paid for this.
“There would need to be … some evidence in that regard because based on what I’ve read from the summary, the views expressed in the charges are extremely concerning,” the chief magistrate said.
“Terrorism is much harder to address, monitor and assess than, for example, someone addicted to drugs. These are very serious charges. The risk is serious indeed.”
Morrissey said his client had not undertaken anti-terrorism programs since her return as the process was all “a bit much” for her.
“She saw a law-abiding, loving household as the way forward for her children and herself. She’s a highly traumatised individual,” he said. “She indicates she’s most prepared to undertake that program and any others. She is able and willing to engage in any way required.”
Morrissey said he hoped a risk assessment report could be produced to the court from a psychologist, but this could take time and his client was eager to apply for bail to be with her children.
The court heard El Houli had recently developed significant health problems including a possible diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing there would be a real risk to the community if El Houli were released.
El Houli was charged on May 28 after returning to Australia on September 26 last year with another woman.
Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Hilda Sirec told a press conference in Canberra last week that an investigation into the second woman was continuing, as well as an investigation into “all the women that returned recently”.
When asked why Operation Kurrajong, launched in 2015 into Australian citizens overseas with links to Islamic State, had taken so long to secure El Houli’s arrest, Sirec said: “These are highly complex matters.”
“We need to be able to take the time and effort to make sure that the evidence is admissible and to a legal standard.”
Hannan adjourned the hearing until psychological reports could be obtained. A committal mention hearing is scheduled for September.
A mother and daughter who were among four women and nine children who arrived in Australia last month after spending years in a refugee camp in north-east Syria will apply for bail later this week on slavery charges.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
