Montreal woman sentenced for terrorism charges
A Montreal woman has been sentenced to six years in prison for her involvement in a terrorist plot. Sabrine Djermane, 21, was found guilty of attempting to leave Canada to join the Islamic State group and possessing an explosive substance.
The sentencing took place on Friday at the Montreal courthouse, where Djermane appeared via video conference from the Joliette Institution, a women’s prison where she has been held since her arrest in 2015.
The Crown had requested a sentence of nine years, while the defense argued for a sentence of three years. In the end, Judge Serge Delisle settled on a six-year sentence, taking into account Djermane’s young age and lack of criminal record.
Djermane’s co-accused, El Mahdi Jamali, was also found guilty of terrorism charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The case against Djermane and Jamali began in 2015 when the RCMP received a tip about a possible terrorist plot. The couple, who were both students at the time, were arrested after police found bomb-making materials in their apartment.
During the trial, the Crown argued that Djermane and Jamali were planning to leave Canada to join the Islamic State group in Syria. They also presented evidence that the couple had been in contact with a known ISIS recruiter.
Djermane maintained her innocence throughout the trial, claiming that she was not aware of Jamali’s plans and that she was only interested in studying Islam.
In his sentencing, Judge Delisle acknowledged that Djermane’s involvement in the plot was not as significant as Jamali’s, but that she still played a role in the planning and preparation.
He also noted that Djermane had shown remorse and had taken steps towards deradicalization while in prison.
The Crown has not yet decided whether they will appeal the sentence. Djermane’s lawyer, Charles Montpetit, said they will be considering their options as well.
This case has been closely watched by the Canadian public, as it is one of the first instances of a Canadian-born woman being charged and convicted of terrorism-related offenses.
The sentencing of Sabrine Djermane serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of radicalization and the importance of vigilance in preventing terrorist acts.
