In a South Australian legal first, Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif will serve at least two years and three months’ jail for supporting the infamous, feared terror group Islamic State.
Conservative Party leader Senator Cory Bernardi is urging the federal government to deport the woman, saying there is no place for terrorists in Australia.
The Advertiser reports, because she has been in custody since her arrest in May 2017, Abdirahman-Khalif will be eligible to seek release on parole in August – but federal authorities may seek to have her detained indefinitely under Commonwealth law.
In sentencing, Justice David Peek said many “inter-related” factors left the former nursing student “susceptible” to the influence of terrorist recruiters, including the “toxic cocoon” of refugee camp life.
However, he said Abdirahman-Khalif had shown no remorse for her actions and continued to protest her innocence – and hold extremist beliefs – rather than accept responsibility.
“Your radicalisation occurred against a backdrop of social and emotional isolation, immaturity and naivety,” he said.
“(However) there is no getting around the fact that you blatantly lied to police … it is also obvious that you have displayed no contrition during your dealings with this court,” he continued.
“You refuse to acknowledge the force of the prosecution (case) … you adhere to your fatuous story that your attempt to fly to Turkey was no more than an innocent last-minute holiday. I have no choice but to find that that connotes a considered decision on your part to adhere to a deliberate lie. I also find that it is not established that you no longer hold those extremist jihadist and Islamic State views,” Justice Peek said.
Last September, at the time of her conviction, Senator Bernardi told 7 News, her deportation should be swift.
