Investigations into Maria
Giulia 'Fatima' Sergio, a young convert to Islam who is
allegedly in Syria with her Albanian jihadist husband, and 10
other people, including her father Sergio and sister Marianna,
for alleged criminal association for terrorism and aiding and
abetting have "shown clearly the constant and particularly large
flow of so-called foreign fighters from numerous countries" and
the ability of the Islamic State to "sort the volunteers
regardless of their provenance", Milan prosecutors said
Wednesday.
Wiretaps also allowed investigators to establish that the
"rules" set out in on-line "manuals" for reaching the Islamic
State "effectively work" and to "reconstruct the activities
carried out both within the occupied territories and with a view
to territorial expansion".
These include recruitment activities carried out by people
who have already reached the area held by Islamic State and
activities of indoctrination and proselytism carried out
on-line.
In this respect, investigators have reconstructed "the
organisation of the departure of 'Fatima's family members to
join ISIS in relation to the absolute compulsoriness of the
'jihra' (emigration) and of the serious consequences for those
who, though able, don't practice it".
Fatima's sister Marianna and their parents were arrested
before leaving Italy for Syria in July.
Investigators also allege Fatima is prepared "to carry out
any action requested by the organisation, including martyrdom"
and that she has "trained in the use of long and short weapons".
The case is set to come before before a preliminary
hearings judge on December 21.
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