An Australian woman accused of joining the Islamic State (IS) and traveling to Syria has been granted bail by a Melbourne magistrate, who ruled that the risk of her reoffending is relatively low.
Court Rulings and Bail Conditions
Magistrate Brett Sonnet granted bail on Monday, acknowledging that while the allegations are unquestionably serious,
the defense met an exceptional threshold test.
The magistrate cited several factors in his decision, including the historical nature of the alleged offending, El Houli’s role as the primary caregiver for her four children, and her cooperation with authorities. He also noted her lack of prior offending and the fact that she lived in the community for eight months without incident before her arrest.
To mitigate risks to the community, Magistrate Sonnet imposed stringent bail conditions, including:
- Reporting to police five times per week.
- Surrendering all travel documents and her passport.
- Adhering to a curfew and residing at a set address.
- A prohibition on going within 100 metres of any place of worship, with the exception of one nominated mosque.
- Restricting social media and email access to one permitted phone.
- Participating in a nominated de-radicalisation program.
Additionally, El Houli’s brother will provide a $50,000 surety.
Allegations of Extremism and Child Endangerment
The court heard disturbing allegations regarding El Houli’s conduct. Senior Constable Paul Sherlock alleged that El Houli recorded herself showing extremist propaganda to her young children and encouraged them to behave like IS fighters.
Detectives further alleged that El Houli used text messages to persuade friends and family to travel to Syria, specifically discussing the “perks” provided to foreign IS members by the regime. Prosecutor Andrew Sprague opposed bail, arguing that these actions represented an unacceptable risk to community safety and noting that El Houli had not participated in a de-radicalisation program since returning to Australia.
Background in Syria and Return to Australia
El Houli, described as a so-called ISIS bride,
allegedly traveled to Syria in 2014 with a former husband and two children to live under IS rule. Two of her children were born in Syria. The court heard that her first and second husbands, both members of IS, were killed, and she is divorced from her third husband. Following the collapse of the Islamic State in 2019, El Houli and her children were detained by Syrian forces at the al-Hawl detention camp. They remained there for six years until September 2025, when they were smuggled out and returned to Australia, according to NINE.
Defense Arguments and Health Status
Defense barrister Peter Morrissey, SC, argued that El Houli has renounced violent jihad and the terrorist organization, stating she wants nothing to do with it – not now, not in the future.
Morrissey characterized her actions in Syria around 2018 as the result of being a naive young woman who drank the Kool-Aid
and suggested she may have been subject to marital coercion.
The defense also presented psychological reports and highlighted El Houli’s health struggles, which include post-traumatic stress disorder and potential multiple sclerosis. Morrissey told the court that El Houli’s current sole focus is on being a good parent and ensuring her children receive an education. Magistrate Sonnet also noted that potential legal delays before a trial were a factor in the decision to grant bail.
Sources: Canberratimes.