Courts / Louth / Report
'At least Abu Bakr did something': Lisa Smith trial hears of Facebook messages
Summary
In the Special Criminal Court, former Irish soldier Lisa Smith, aged 40, pleaded not guilty to membership of the Islamic State and to financing terrorism. The court heard private Facebook messages exchanged by Smith with other Muslims before her 2015 travel to Syria. The messages included discussions on Islam, marriage, the role of women, and the mass executions of Iraqi soldiers by ISIS. Smith's interlocutor claimed it was acceptable to execute enemies and that Shia victims deserved punishment. Smith also referenced a YouTube video depicting ISIS killings and a news article condemning Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi's caliphate. The court also considered exchanges with an American jihadist, John Georgelas, and Smith's husband, a Tunisian. The proceedings will continue with further review of the Facebook exchanges.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'At least Abu Bakr did something': Lisa Smith trial hears of Facebook messages. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- July 9, 2014 Other
- October 28th, 2015 Other
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Other
- 2022-03-15 Publication
Why: The man told Ms Smith that there was "nothing wrong with executing them" because they were the enemy. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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