Iraq sentences five women to death for joining IS

Baghdad April 26 (IANS) An Iraqi court on Thursday sentenced five foreign women to death for joining the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

"The Central Criminal Court sentenced three female Kyrgyz nationals and two female Azerbaijani nationals to death by hanging for joining the IS organisation " Xinhua news agency quoted a spokesman for Iraq s Supreme Judicial Council as saying.

He said the court sentenced five more foreign women: two Russians two Azerbaijani citizens and one French to life imprisonment.

"The female convicts joined the IS terrorist organisation and were involved in criminal acts against Iraqi forces " the spokesman added.

Despite its defeat in Iraq late last year many IS members remain at large in the country.

Death penalty in Iraq was suspended on June 10 2003 but was reinstated from August 8 2004.

--IANS
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