The Amsterdam appeal court on Thursday jailed Samir Azzouz for nine years for membership of a terrorist organisation, plotting attacks on political targets and for recruiting people for the armed struggle against 'the enemies of Islam', NOS tv reports. The public prosecution department had called for a 15-year sentence.Four others were sentenced to between six months and eight years. Soumaya Sahla, the only female member of the gang, was given four years for her 'marginal' role. She is currently the only woman in the high security prison in Vught.
The discovery of weapons and a video made by Azzouz in which he said he was willing to die for Jihad was among the main evidence used in the convictions, news agency ANP said. At the end of 2006, a lower court sentenced Azzouz to eight years in jail after finding him guilty of plotting attacks. But the court said he was not the central figure in a terrorism gang nor was he actively recruiting members. Both he and the public prosecution department appealed against the 2006 sentence.
Azzouz has twice before been found not guilty of membership to a terrorist organisation.