A Melbourne woman accused of being an Islamic State (ISIS) member allegedly showed her children propaganda videos depicting the killing of “disbelievers” with guns and knives, according to allegations presented in court.
Rayann El Houli, one of the Australian women repatriated from Syria in 2022 after the fall of ISIS, is charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation and entering or remaining in a declared area, offences carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
During a bail hearing this week, the Australian Federal Police opposed her release, alleging she exposed her children to extremist ISIS videos while living in Syria and remained supportive of the group’s ideology. Prosecutors argued the allegations and ongoing investigation make her an unacceptable risk if released.
El Houli, a mother of four, is being held at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Victoria’s women’s prison, while the case proceeds.
The court heard El Houli spent years in ISIS-controlled territory before being detained in the al-Roj camp in northeastern Syria following the terrorist group’s collapse. She was among four Australian women and 13 children repatriated by the Australian government in October 2022 after extensive security assessments.
Federal authorities have previously stated that every returning adult from Syria is subject to criminal investigations and continuous monitoring where appropriate. The AFP alleges El Houli’s activities in Syria went beyond simply residing in the conflict zone, forming the basis of the terrorism charges.
Defence lawyers sought bail under strict conditions, but prosecutors argued the seriousness of the alleged offences warranted continued detention. The court has reserved its decision.
El Houli has not entered a plea, and the allegations against her have not been tested in court. Her case will return to court at a later date.
