German ISIS Member Sentenced to Extended Prison Term for Crimes Against Humanity Against Yezidis

Last week, the Higher Regional Court of Munich affirmed the conviction and increased the sentence of German ISIS member Jennifer W. from 10 to 14 years of imprisonment. The decision resulted from the court determining the defendant neglected the human rights of the Yezidi victim on the basis of her religion, thus furthering ISIS’ policy of eradicating the Yezidi community. 

 

In October 2021, the first instance court convicted the German national for her role in the enslavement, abuse, and killing of a five year old Yezidi girl, as well as the enslavement and abuse of her mother. Jennifer W. was found guilty of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity and war crimes. Germany’s highest court held that the lower court had erred when qualifying that aiding and abetting was a “less serious case” that resulted in a reduced sentence and referred the case back to the Higher Regional Court of Munich to decide on the sentence.

 

The Free Yezidi Foundation commends Germany for leading the fight for justice for the Yezidi community and holding perpetrators to account for the full extent of their crimes.