Historic Conviction: Swedish Court Recognizes ISIS Crimes as Genocide

In a landmark ruling, a Swedish court has sentenced 52-year-old Lina Ishaq to 12 years in prison for committing genocide, crimes against humanity, and gross war crimes against the Yezidi people. This marks Sweden’s first conviction related to ISIS’s atrocities against the Yezidi ethno-religious minority.

Background on the Convicted

Lina Ishaq, a Swedish citizen, traveled to Syria in 2014 to join ISIS. During her time in Raqqa, she enslaved Yezidi women and children, treating them as her property. The court found that she forced them to convert to Islam, restricted their movements, subjected them to physical abuse, and compelled them to perform domestic chores under harsh conditions. She also participated in the transfer of some captives to other ISIS members, perpetuating their continued enslavement.

Previous Convictions

Prior to this verdict, Ishaq was sentenced in 2022 to six years in prison for allowing her 12-year-old son to be recruited as a child soldier by ISIS. Taking this prior sentence into account, the court adjusted her current sentence to 12 years.

Significance of the Verdict

This conviction is significant as it acknowledges the systematic atrocities committed against the Yezidi community and reinforces the importance of holding individuals accountable for such heinous acts. FYF played a crucial role in this trial, with its Executive Director providing expert testimony that contributed to the court’s understanding of the crimes committed against the Yezidis.

While this verdict represents a step toward justice, the international community must continue its efforts to support survivors, pursue accountability for all perpetrators, and ensure that such atrocities are prevented in the future.

For more details on the trial, please see the Stockholm District Court’s official statement.