CEP Senior Advisor Ian Acheson writes: "After all, here is a bright young woman who carefully planned her journey to a war zone to marry a jihadist, and then remained in moral support of violent extremists for years, bearing three children (all now dead). Indeed, the judgment underlines the point that she had agency – a point often missed by those who argue that she is a victim first and foremost. But the fact remains, our national security is better served by her repatriation to this country, to be charged and tried by her peers."

"Read also: In Germany, the Parliament recognizes that the Yazidis suffered a “genocide” in Iraq and Syria
“It is important that we plan to try ‘returned’ women [rapatriées]not only for belonging to ISIS but for crimes against Yazidis”, comments Sofia Koller, of the American NGO Counter Extremism Project." 

"« Il est important que l’on projette de juger des femmes “retournées” [rapatriées], non seulement pour appartenance à l’EI mais pour les crimes contre les yézidis », commente Sofia Koller, de l’ONG américaine Counter Extremism Project. "
 

CEP Senior Advisor Ian Acheson writes: "Repatriating Begum would also give us a greater opportunity to examine the performance of state and local authorities, and whether they could and should have intervened as three Bethnal Green schoolgirls transformed into Isis brides."

CEP Senior Research Analyst Sofia Koller referenced in a regional German newspaper reporting on a conference on female perpetrators in Erlangen, where Koller gave a presentation on the prosecution of female returnees. 

"About  1,150 individuals left Germany and traveled to the Middle East to join ISIS and other terrorist groups.  Germany has conducted various repatriation operations bringing back ISIS-affiliated women and minors though many male fighters remain in Syria and Iraq. According to a recent report published by the Counter Extremism Project, at least 7 women and 22 children remain in the Al-Roj camp, with 2 German women also present in the Al-Howl camp in Northeast Syria.
The Bulan Institute interviewed Ms. Sofia Koller, a Senior Research Analyst at the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) in Germany. She conducted extensive research on the state approaches in EU countries toward former fighters and their family members."

CEP Senior Research Analyst Sofia Koller interviewed about new policy paper: "In meinem neuen Policy Paper skizziere ich die Entwicklung der Strafverfolgung von Rückkehrerinnen in Deutschland. Bis etwa 2018 waren diese Frauen nicht systematisch Gegenstand der deutschen Strafverfolgung. Dann versuchte die Bundesanwaltschaft erstmals, die IS Rückkehrerin Sibel H. für die Mitgliedschaft einer terroristischen Vereinigung anzuklagen. Doch das lehnte der Bundesgerichtshof vorerst ab. Es hieß, diese Anklage könne nicht zugelassen werden, da der reine Aufenthalt im Gebiet des IS nicht dafür ausreiche. So mussten die Staatsanwälte die mitgliedschaftlichen Aktivitäten der IS-Anhängerin deutlicher herausstellen. Sie brauchten Beweise dafür, dass Frauen zum Beispiel durch Haushaltsführung und Kindererziehung, aber auch das Wohnen in besetzten Häusern das IS-System unterstützt hatten."