Australian Mother of Four Charged with Joining Islamic State

An Australian mother of four, Rayann El Houli, 34, has been charged with joining the Islamic State and entering a declared conflict zone after returning to Australia from Syria. She appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday, wearing a black niqab and flanked by two prison officers. El Houli faces up to 10 years in prison for each charge. Her lawyer, Peter Morrissey, emphasized the need to reunite her with her children, who are adjusting well in school and sports programs after their return from Syrian camps.

El Houli traveled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 and was captured by Kurdish forces in March 2019. She returned to Australia on September 26, eight months before her arrest. Her case follows the return of other Australian women and children from Syrian refugee camps, despite the government's opposition. Three women who returned three weeks ago were charged with slavery and terrorism offenses. Another woman, Janai Safar, 32, from Sydney, was also charged with similar offenses upon her return.

Deputy Commissioner Hilda Sirec noted that the passage of time without charges does not indicate the end of investigations. El Houli's bail application is scheduled for Monday. The Australian government made it illegal for citizens to travel to the former IS stronghold of Raqqa without a legitimate reason from 2014 to 2017.