BC Woman Who Married ISIS Fighter Charged With Terrorism

Kimberly Polman (C), who was repatriated to Canada from a detention camp in Syria after marrying an ISIS terrorist, is released from custody at provincial court in Chilliwack, B.C., on Oct. 27, 2022, after being granted bail pending a peace bond hearing. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

A British Columbia woman who left Canada to marry an ISIS fighter in Syria has been charged with terrorism-related offenses.

B.C. RCMP say that Kimberly Polman, 51, has been charged with one count of leaving Canada to participate in activity of a terrorist group, and one count of participating in activity of a terrorist group.

The charges stem from a criminal investigation into Ms. Polman, who lives in Squamish, according to a July 6 RCMP news release. She was accused of leaving Canada and travelling to Syria in 2015 to join ISIS. Ms. Polman was repatriated to Canada in October 2022 and was placed on several bail conditions.

There has been a terrorism peace bond placed on her since Nov. 7, 2023, police said.

Chilliwack provincial court Judge Kristen Mundstock ruled at the time that Ms. Polman must follow several conditions while under bond, including reporting to a parole officer, remaining at her current Squamish address, wearing electronic supervision equipment, and not leaving the province.

She was also ordered to have no contact with several people, including her ex-husband, have no access to driving a vehicle except an electronic bike, and not to communicate with anyone suspected of terrorism.

Ms. Polman was also banned from possessing any information that explains how to make or use an “explosive substance.”

The order was set to expire after eight months on July 7.

Ms. Polman has been scheduled for a next court appearance on Aug. 2 in Vancouver Provincial Court.

Ms. Polman was one of several women and children who were brought back to Canada after being held for years at a Syrian prison camp. Ms. Polman was arrested by RCMP when she landed in Montreal. Police took her back to B.C. where she faced a bail hearing that resulted in the peace bond conditions.

RCMP superintendent Jag Dhot said the case was investigated with help from “intelligence partnerships.”

“Along with our Canadian and International partners, the RCMP remains committed to combatting violent extremism both in Canada and abroad,” Mr. Dhot said.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.