16-year-old Convicted for IS Propaganda

On Snapchat, the 16-year-old shared a photo showing him masked with a clenched fist. The caption announced attacks in churches. On February 14, 2024, at least three people received a post that alerted the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service. The public prosecutor took the matter very seriously and intensively searched for the sender. A court-approved house search was then conducted at a technical college student’s home.

Phone Analysis Proved IS Propaganda by 16-Year-Old

Although nothing was found that indicated the preparation of a terrorist attack, the analysis of the seized phone and other data carriers showed that the then 15-year-old had been spreading IS propaganda for two years. According to the indictment, he glorified and supported the terrorist militia by sending combat nasheeds and IS propaganda videos. The material glorified the fight against so-called Kuffar (unbelievers, note), warned against "dirty love" for non-believers, and invoked to "remain steadfast for Allah until the last man falls." When one of the recipients instructed the accused to stop his behavior ("Stop it, no one wants to hear that"), he reacted defiantly: "I don't care, I spread the message of Islam."

16-Year-Old Defendant Fully Confessed and Reformed

In court, the now 16-year-old presented himself as fully confessing and reformed. "It's all true," he said regarding the allegations by the prosecution. He was 13 when he discovered "these videos": "I adopted the opinion that others shared. I believed that non-believers were bad people. I just believed them. I believed that Christians wanted to harm us." The 16-year-old grew up in a religious household, but a very strict interpretation of Islam was not practiced. The defense attorney explained his client's turn to IS as follows: "He was completely lonely and alone. As a lonely 13-year-old, violence had something attractive." Ideologically, the accused was "not at all entrenched." He also did not know any other IS supporters: "He was not networked."

Six Months Probation Legally Binding

In the end, the previously unblemished individual got off lightly. He was legally sentenced to six months probation for terrorist association and criminal organization. He was instructed to continue the deradicalization program he is undergoing at the Extremism Counseling Center. Additionally, probation assistance was ordered. Both the defense attorney and the prosecutor agreed with the verdict.

(APA/Red)

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