The German schoolgirl who followed her jihadi lover to Iraq and joined ISIS before being captured in Mosul this year has been reunited with her mother.
Linda Wenzel, from the town of Pulsnitz in Saxony, joined the Islamist terror group at the age of 15.
She was said to have worked for a female-only brigade that whipped women if they were not wearing the right clothes.
Linda forged her mum’s signature last year to buy a ticket to Istanbul, before moving into ISIS territory.
Linda Wenzel, from the town of Pulsnitz in Saxony, joined the Islamist terror group at the age of 15. Pictured: The schoolgirl hugs her mother
Linda forged her mum’s permission signature last year to allow her to buy a ticket to Istanbul, before moving into ISIS territory. Pictured: The embrace
During their reunion, Katharina gave her daughter a small cuddly toy with a red Christmas hat to remind her of better times in Germany
She had fallen in love with a Muslim man she met online who persuaded her to join him and answer ISIS’s call of jihad. She was captured in July in Mosul when it was liberated by Iraqi soldiers
In her first meeting with her mother since she fled Europe for the Middle East, however, she said she had ‘ruined [her] life’ with her ‘stupid idea’ of joining ISIS.
Now in a Baghdad jail, the schoolgirl faces years in jail or even execution by the Iraqi state.
Her 48-year-old mother Katharina Wenzel has flown to the Iraqi capital – together with her other daughter Miriam – to visit Linda, who is now 17.
Yesterday, German public TV channel ‘Das Erste’ broadcast a shocking video showing the moment Linda saw her mother for the first time after more than a year of separation.
The filthy, dazed and wounded girl was seen being dragged out of a onetime ISIS stronghold as troops surrounded her
According to sources inside German intelligence and security services citing Iraqi sources, the former ISIS schoolgirl is unrepentant. Pictured: Linda in detention after her capture
The moment of the reunion appeared uncomfortable and hesitant, however, as mother and daughter stared at each other uncertainly for over five seconds before finally embracing.
But Linda, wearing a headscarf and dark-coloured Islamic kaftan robe, was seen with a big smile on her face when she saw her mother.
She told her mum: ‘I do not know, how I came up with the stupid idea to go to the Islamic State. I have ruined my life.’
The German schoolgirl claims she never fought for ISIS.
She said that after the death of her jihadist husband, a Chechen fighter from Austria named Abu Usama al-Shishani, she was housed in various women’s quarters and would hardly ever have come out of the house.
During their reunion, Katharina gave her daughter a small cuddly toy with a red Christmas hat to remind her of better times in Germany.
Linda fell in love with a Muslim man she met online who persuaded her to join him in Iraq and answer ISIS’s call of jihad. She was captured in July in Mosul when it was liberated by Iraqi soldiers.
Next month, Linda will face trial in Baghdad, with Iraqi authorities so far refusing to extradite her to Germany. Pictured: Mum Katharina in tears
The filthy, dazed and wounded girl was seen being dragged out of a onetime ISIS stronghold by triumphant troops.
Next month, Linda will face trial in Baghdad, with Iraqi authorities so far refusing to extradite her to Germany.
According to sources inside German intelligence citing Iraqi sources, the former ISIS schoolgirl is unrepentant.
Another problem, according to sources inside Germany’s security apparatus, is that there is no extradition agreement between Iraq and Germany.
The moment of the reunion at a police station looked uncomfortable and hesitant, however, as mother and daughter stared at each other uncertainly for over five seconds before finally embracing
Linda was reportedly active in a special brigade that had to check the attire of women on the streets of the caliphate. Pictured: Her capture in Mosul
German prosecutors of the federal prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe are also investigating Linda and three other women on suspicion of being ISIS members. Pictured: Linda’s mother, Katharina
In September, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi said that Linda might face the death penalty as he explained that the Iraqi judiciary is deciding which charges will be levied against her.
Al-Abadi said: ‘You know teenagers under certain laws, they are accountable for their actions, especially if the act is a criminal activity when it amounts to killing innocent people.’
In September, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi said that Linda might face the death penalty as he explained that the Iraqi judiciary is deciding which charges will be levied against her
The Iraqi PM also said that it remained to be seen whether prosecutors would demand the death penalty in court as this would depend on the final charges.
The clear threat of a trial in Baghdad and a potentially lengthy prison sentence or even capital punishment has Linda’s dad worried.
Reiner said: ‘I want so much that my Linda comes home again healthy. I will always be there for her.
‘I fear for her. The authorities absolutely have to bring her to Germany so that she can get a fair trial.’
Linda was reportedly active in a special brigade that had to check the attire of women on the streets of the caliphate.
Women who would not abide by the strict clothing rules, which included a ban on make-up and a demanded a full-face veil, were whipped by the brigade.
German prosecutors of the federal prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe are also investigating Linda and three other women on suspicion of being ISIS members.
If she were put on trial in Germany, she might only be convicted of 10 years in prison for membership of a terrorist group.