Wife of IS leader charged in U.S. hostage's death
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Wife of IS leader charged in U.S. hostage's death, 9 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdeb7c.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 09, 2016
The United States has charged the wife of an Islamic State (IS) leader killed last year with contributing to American hostage Kayla Mueller's death.
Nisreen Assad Ibrahim Bahar, also known as Umm Sayyaf, admitted after her capture in May 2015 that she and her husband kept Mueller, an aid worker, captive.
U.S. officials have said that while in custody, Mueller was repeatedly forced to have sex with IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The U.S. criminal complaint charges Sayyaf with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terror organization, resulting in death.
The case comes one year after Mueller's death was confirmed. It's not clear whether Sayyaf will be brought to the United States for trial.
The 25-year-old Iraqi woman is currently in Iraqi custody and facing prosecution there. Her husband, Abu Sayyaf, a former IS minister, was killed in May in a Delta Force raid of his compound.
The U.S. Justice Department said on February 8 it still "fully supports the Iraqi prosecution of Sayyaf" but added that "the U.S. justice system remains a powerful tool to bring to bear against those who harm our citizens abroad."
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
