Alleged terror supporter and former ISIS bride Rayann El Houli has renounced Islamic State and "violent Jihad" in court in a bid to secure her freedom in Australia. The 34-year-old appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, facing charges of entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining a terrorist organisation.
Court Appearance and Renunciation
Ms El Houli stood before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan wearing a hijab instead of a burka so the court could "recognise her", according to reports. Defence barrister Peter Morrissey SC told the court that Ms El Houli had rejected the Islamic State terror group and wanted "nothing to do with it".
"She renounces ISIS and violent Jihad, she wants nothing to do with it. Not now, not in the future, not directly, not indirectly. Not for herself, not for the people she loves and specifically not for her children," Mr Morrissey said.
Bail Application Adjourned
Ms El Houli was remanded in custody after her lawyer's request for her bail application to be adjourned was approved. Mr Morrissey appeared alongside Jewish lawyer Robert Van Aalst, who was previously identified as playing a significant role in facilitating the return of ISIS brides to Australia earlier this year.
Allegations and Charges
Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan said the court had heard allegations that Ms El Houli had married multiple Islamic State fighters. She also allegedly expressed support for acts of terrorism, advocated for "killing non-believers" and attempted to indoctrinate her children in extremist ideology. She has four children.
Ms Hannan told the court that Ms El Houli "only left when the caliphate was defeated" and not because her views had changed.
Return to Australia
Ms El Houli arrived back in Australia on September 26 alongside her sister after the pair allegedly escaped the now-defunct al-Hawl detention camp with the assistance of people smugglers before travelling to Lebanon. Australian passports were issued to the women at the embassy in Beirut with the backing of the Albanese government, allowing them to return to Australia.
Investigation and Seizures
During the investigation, the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team seized a suspected stolen vehicle as well as electronic devices, paperwork and photographs that will undergo forensic analysis. Ms El Houli had been held by Kurdish authorities since March 2019 after the collapse of Islamic State and remained in al-Hawl camp with family members.
Police allege she travelled to Syria with several individuals, including a man who is understood to be imprisoned in the Middle East.
Related Cases
The return of former ISIS-linked women Kawsar Abbas, her daughters Zeinab and Zahra Ahmad, and Janai Safar in May led authorities to also charge Ms El Houli. Kawsar Abbas and Zeinab Ahmad have also been accused of crimes against humanity and slavery-related offences connected to alleged conduct in Syria.
