A German woman who claimed to have been held captive by her husband for over a decade in eastern France was found to be not a victim of any such crime, according to a French prosecutor. The 55-year-old husband, also a German national, will be released from police custody. The woman, who suffers from illnesses that leave her bedridden, had made allegations of imprisonment, rape, and torture, but investigations did not support her claims. The couple had not registered with the French medical system or German health authorities for years and had no contact with their families.
A German woman, identified as Jennifer W., expressed remorse during a new sentencing hearing for her involvement in the death of a 5-year-old Yazidi girl whom she and her husband kept as a slave while they were members of the Islamic State group in Iraq. Jennifer W. was convicted in October 2021 of crimes against humanity, including enslavement resulting in death, and membership in a terrorist organization. The Federal Court of Justice ordered a reconsideration of her sentence, potentially leading to a more severe punishment. Jennifer W. admitted her responsibility for the girl's death and stated that she no longer disputes the charges against her. The new hearing is expected to conclude in late August.
