This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/405908-french-woman-isis-jail/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Radicalized French 'Jihadi Granny' who followed son to Syria sentenced to 10yrs in jail | Radicalized French 'Jihadi Granny' who followed son to Syria sentenced to 10yrs in jail |
(35 minutes later) | |
A radicalized Frenchwoman dubbed ‘Jihadi Granny’ has been jailed for 10 years after following her son to Syria, where he was fighting for Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). | A radicalized Frenchwoman dubbed ‘Jihadi Granny’ has been jailed for 10 years after following her son to Syria, where he was fighting for Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). |
Christine Rivière, 51, was sentenced following a trial in which she was charged with criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing terrorist acts. | Christine Rivière, 51, was sentenced following a trial in which she was charged with criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing terrorist acts. |
The ‘Jihadi Granny’ said she followed her eldest son to Syria in order to support him and spend time with him, in case he faced an early death. | The ‘Jihadi Granny’ said she followed her eldest son to Syria in order to support him and spend time with him, in case he faced an early death. |
Rivière's son, Tylor Vilus, converted to Islam in 2011 at the age of 21. He quickly became radicalized, moving to Tunisia to engage with jihadist groups there. | Rivière's son, Tylor Vilus, converted to Islam in 2011 at the age of 21. He quickly became radicalized, moving to Tunisia to engage with jihadist groups there. |
She followed him to Tunisia, also converted, and began following her son's radicalized views. | She followed him to Tunisia, also converted, and began following her son's radicalized views. |
Vilus left for Syria in 2013, backed by the support of his mother who sent him money and encouragement. | Vilus left for Syria in 2013, backed by the support of his mother who sent him money and encouragement. |
When her son left for Syria in 2013 and told her he as moving up the ranks of IS, Rivière reportedly replied: “I knew you'd do well, you're made for that.” She also allegedly put him in touch with potential brides who were interesting in joining IS. | When her son left for Syria in 2013 and told her he as moving up the ranks of IS, Rivière reportedly replied: “I knew you'd do well, you're made for that.” She also allegedly put him in touch with potential brides who were interesting in joining IS. |
Rivière visited her son in Syria three times in 2013 and 2014, and was arrested in July 2014 as she was allegedly trying to move there permanently. A husband was reportedly waiting for her upon arrival in the country. | |
She said during the trial that she enjoyed Syria and preferred it over France, “despite the bombings and shootings,” according to court papers published by Le Monde. | She said during the trial that she enjoyed Syria and preferred it over France, “despite the bombings and shootings,” according to court papers published by Le Monde. |
“I wanted to make the most of [time with] my son before he dies… I know that will happen, of course, and if it does I’ll be happy for him because I know what that means for him. I know he will have a place in paradise… I want what he wants, like every good mother," Rivière reportedly told investigators, the Guardian reported. | |
She denied claims that she financially supported IS, telling investigators it was “normal” to send her son money. She also denied personally fighting for the terrorist group. | |
"It was my son who took care of everything. I paid for the plane ticket," Rivière said, as quoted by Libération newspaper. "I love my son. Since he became a Muslim, he has better behavior. But he has done things for which I do not agree too much." | |
When asked about photos showing her heavily armed in Syria, she said she merely carried a weapon in the war-torn country “like everybody else.” | |
However, court papers state that violent propaganda pictures were found on her computer. | |
Rivière’s son was arrested in Turkey in July 2015 while traveling on a Swedish passport. He is currently awaiting trial in prison while an investigation is underway into his role in IS. |