Court of Appeal upholds Lisa Smith’s Islamic State membership conviction

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The Court of Appeal has dismissed Lisa Smith’s appeal against her conviction for membership of Islamic State, upholding the Special Criminal Court’s finding that she joined the group after travelling to Syria in 2015.

The court said voluntary travel to territory controlled by Islamic State could constitute sufficient participation; membership did not require proof of combat, military activity, fundraising, training or propaganda. Smith’s earlier appeal against her 15-month sentence was rejected in 2023.