In March this year, the sisters and their three children were brought home from Syria by the Norwegian authorities.
By then they had been in the war-torn country for almost ten years. The sisters, aged 25 and 29, are charged with participation in the terrorist organization IS. They have been in custody since they landed at Oslo Airport.
On Thursday, there was a prison meeting for the youngest sister. The woman appeared in the Oslo district court, dressed in a long skirt and a red headdress.
The 25-year-old asked to be released, but the Oslo district court decided on Thursday afternoon that both sisters should be detained for four weeks with restrictions.
Hilde Firman Fjellså is the defense attorney for the youngest woman.
Lawyer Hilde Firman Fjellså is defending the youngest sister who is charged with participation in a terrorist organisation.
Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi / NRK
– The most important thing for my client is to convey that she did not go to Syria to join IS. She left to do humanitarian work. The marriage she entered into in Syria was not voluntary, says Fjellså to NRK.
The defender believes that PST’s case against the woman has been weakened.
Can release the one woman
Police attorney in PST Terje Nedrebø Michelsen disagrees with that.
– In our opinion, the grounds for suspicion have strengthened somewhat through the investigation, says Michelsen to NRK.
Police attorney Terje Nedrebø Michelsen in the Oslo district court.
Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi / NRK
PST has asked for four new weeks in custody for both sisters. The eldest sister’s case was treated as office business, i.e. without her appearing in the Oslo district court.
PST believes the sisters could tamper with evidence – that is, remove evidence or influence witnesses if they are released.
Michelsen says PST needs at least four weeks to complete the tasks they “have on the block”, including more witness interviews.
– Could it be appropriate to release one of the two accused?
– It may be possible that we end up in a situation where we have to consider releasing one of them. The reason for this will be that the investigative steps have then been carried out, which we believe there is a risk of tampering with evidence, Michelsen tells NRK.
– Then you only have to sit with the father so that the two accused will coordinate their explanations. And then you have to make a choice whether you should consider solving for it to be one of the two.
– Is it a far-fetched situation as you see it?
– When the four weeks have passed, we must consider whether we should ask for four more weeks. But anything in particular beyond two new periods is not relevant as the matter stands now, concludes Michelsen.
2023-09-14 12:56:32
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