Canada refused to repatriate woman from ISIS camp because she can’t be arrested: internal memo

The last Canadian woman trying to return home from a detention camp in Syria for captured ISIS members is a national security risk because police lack evidence to arrest her, according to internal documents.

A Public Safety Canada memo obtained by Global News said the RCMP was unable to either charge the Montreal woman, referred to only by the initials F.J., or restrict her movements with a peace bond.

“In the absence of a charge package or peace bond, F.J. would have freedom of movement upon return to Canada,” said the memo, which bore the heading “National Security Threat.”

The “secret” memo to the minister explains why the government decided against returning the mother of six to Canada along with the other ISIS women brought back from Syria in 2022 and 2023.

F.J. has since left the detention facility in Syria on her own, and her whereabouts are unknown, her lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said on Tuesday.

“She’s out of the camp, that’s all I can say.”

Her kids remain at the detention facility for ISIS families, he said.

Global Affairs Canada did not respond to questions.

Greenspon was previously unaware of the memos but said they showed the government was refusing to assist F.J. because she would not face any legal proceedings such as terrorism charges upon returning to Canada.

Nor do police have enough for a peace bond, which would impose restrictions on her in the name of public safety but do not amount to a criminal trial or sentence. As a result, she would be free once back in Montreal.

While the government viewed that as a national security issue, Greenspon said it was a “circular argument” to deny a Canadian help because police lack evidence to arrest her.

The government had previously said only that it did not have the ability