The article discusses the case of Sana, a young woman who was brought to Syria against her will by her radicalized mother in 2014 to join ISIS. Forced into marriage with a Belgian jihadist at the age of 15, she had two children while in Syria. In January 2023, Sana and her children were repatriated to France. Despite not being charged with terrorist-related offenses, the former prefect of Nord, Georges-François Leclerc, sought to expel her to Algeria for reasons related to public safety.
Sana’s expulsion was based on her continued contact with other returning women from Syria and her religious marriage conducted online with a German jihadist. However, the administrative tribunal in Lille ruled in favor of Sana, stating that she had distanced herself from the terrorist organization she was involved with and had expressed hostility towards her past. Sana, who is now 25 years old, had contracted a religious online marriage during her internment in a camp in Syria to receive financial aid and avoid a judgment by an Islamic court.
The tribunal acknowledged Sana’s efforts towards social and professional integration in France, especially for the sake of her daughters. While she maintained friendships with other repatriated women from Syria, they were not charged with terrorism-related offenses. The tribunal also recognized that the decision to expel Sana violated her right to privacy and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. However, her request for a residence permit was denied due to her mother’s refusal to apply for French nationality while she was underage.
Despite the refusal to grant her a residence permit, Sana’s expulsion to Algeria was blocked by the administrative tribunal in Lille, protecting her from deportation. The tribunal’s decision was based on Sana’s demonstrated commitment to distancing herself from terrorist activities and integrating into French society. The case highlights the complexities of dealing with individuals who have returned from conflict zones like Syria and the importance of considering each person’s unique circumstances in decisions regarding their future. Ultimately, Sana’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals returning from conflict zones and the need for a nuanced approach to their reintegration into society.
