Belgium Convicts 7 Women for Supporting ISIS; 4 Already in Syria Sentenced in Absentia

A court in Antwerp, Belgium, on Monday convicted seven women for supporting the Islamic State and urging women to go to Syria to join the terrorist organization.

Four of the women were sentenced in absentia by the Antwerp Correctional Tribunal as they were believed to have traveled to Syria to join the ISIS. They were sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 15,000 euro (about $16,722).

They were identified as Besime C., Yassmina M., Selin Y. and Fatima B. who left for Syria in March 2014, according to The Brussels Times.

The three other women, who are still in Belgium, were sentenced to imprisonment of 30 months.

The four women, Reuters reported, were convicted for their ISIS-related activities including guarding entrances to towns and cities in Syria.

They are married to Syrian fighters and belong to the ISIS' women's battalions.

Hakima M., Yassmina's sister, failed to go to Syria as her passport was not valid. She was intercepted by authorities at the Zaventem airport this month as she was trying to fly to Syria with a minor.

She denied that she was involved in ISIS. The Brussels Times report said Hakima was a member of organizations that radicalized young Muslim women and held charity events to finance her trip to Syria.

Hakima and the minor stayed at Rosalina G's home in Brussels as they waited to leave for Syria. Rosalina was found to be involved in the departure of several Syrian fighters.

Naima A.A. took Fatima B. to the Dusseldorf airport. Fatima's sister is married to Naima's son in Syria.

The court sentenced Naima to 20 months in prison and 3,000 euro fine ($3,341), which are both suspended. Hakima and Rosalina, meanwhile, were sentenced to 30 months in prison, one year without probation and 6,000 euro ($6,684) fine.