Saudi woman accused of supporting IS faces trial
Saudi woman accused of supporting IS faces trial
A court in Saudi Arabia is hearing the case of a Saudi woman who has been accused of openly supporting the Islamic State group.
2 min read
It is thought that Saudi women are being targeted for recruitment by IS [AFP]
A special criminal court in Saudi Arabia is hearing the first case of a Saudi woman who is accused of being affiliated with the Islamic State group.
The woman, reportedly a 27-year old student from Qassim province, is accused of openly supporting and campaigning for the group.
"The woman began her active rally for terrorism when her uncle was imprisoned for nine years after being arrested for involvement in terrorist activities. He was convicted of bombing a public area," a source told the Saudi Gazette.
Her uncle was accused of having connections with an al-Qaeda affiliate.
The prosecutor also accused her of smuggling 30 papers during her family's visit to her uncle in jail, as reported by Arab News.
Other accusations include pledging allegiance to IS leader Abubakr Baghdadi, on social media, and contacting militants.
The accused has reportedly posted tweets supporting the attack on the General Investigation Department in Sharurah province that killed four security officers during Ramadan 2014.
A recent Islamic State group publication from the "Khansa women's brigade" appeared to suggest that the organisation was specifically attempting to target Saudi women.
"Go to the poverty-stricken areas south of Riyadh, or to the homes of those in need outside Jeddah. There is where you will find the truth you're looking for," it reads.
The court will hold a series of hearings to investigate the actions of the woman before issuing a verdict.
A recent study revealed that the highest number of IS-supporting Twitter accounts outside of the Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq and Syria were based in Saudi Arabia.
It is also thought that a large number of these supporters are women.
The woman, reportedly a 27-year old student from Qassim province, is accused of openly supporting and campaigning for the group.
"The woman began her active rally for terrorism when her uncle was imprisoned for nine years after being arrested for involvement in terrorist activities. He was convicted of bombing a public area," a source told the Saudi Gazette.
Her uncle was accused of having connections with an al-Qaeda affiliate.
The prosecutor also accused her of smuggling 30 papers during her family's visit to her uncle in jail, as reported by Arab News.
Other accusations include pledging allegiance to IS leader Abubakr Baghdadi, on social media, and contacting militants.
The accused has reportedly posted tweets supporting the attack on the General Investigation Department in Sharurah province that killed four security officers during Ramadan 2014.
A recent Islamic State group publication from the "Khansa women's brigade" appeared to suggest that the organisation was specifically attempting to target Saudi women.
"Go to the poverty-stricken areas south of Riyadh, or to the homes of those in need outside Jeddah. There is where you will find the truth you're looking for," it reads.
The court will hold a series of hearings to investigate the actions of the woman before issuing a verdict.
A recent study revealed that the highest number of IS-supporting Twitter accounts outside of the Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq and Syria were based in Saudi Arabia.
It is also thought that a large number of these supporters are women.
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