Quebec woman who joined ISIL pleads guilty to supporting terror group

MONTREAL – A Quebec woman who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State and marry one of its fighters has pleaded guilty to one count of participating in the activities of a terrorist group.

The Crown and lawyers for Oumaima Chouay made joint submissions for the sentence that was delivered on Monday in Quebec court — one day in custody in addition to 110 days spent in pretrial detention, and three years of probation. 

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says experts who examined Chouay over the past 30 months concluded that her risk of recidivism and her dangerousness to society are very low.

Chouay was charged after being repatriated to Canada from a detention in camp in Syria in October 2022.

She has admitted to joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, marrying a fighter and having two children with him.

Chouay is not suspected of having participated in combat, and the Crown says she is the first person convicted in Canada for providing support to a terror group by marrying a fighter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025.

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