Lovestruck Aussie teen accused of ‘sending $20,000 to ISIS terrorist’ in Syria
A teenager appeared in court on Friday accused of sending cash to an Australian fighting in Syria.
The girl's lawyer said she was innocent and vulnerable at the time, and a victim of young love.
The teenager left court flanked by her lawyer and loyal supporters, but declined to make any comments.
The accused - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - has pleaded guilty to recklessly collecting funds for a terrorist fighting for Islamic State in Syria.
Her lawyer told the court "she had romantic feelings towards him [the terrorist] and he had told her that he wanted to marry her.”
The lure of walking down the aisle was the alleged motivation for three Western Union overseas transfers.
The court heard the now-17-year-old helped to facilitate the transfer of almost $20,000 to the Australian-born fighter.
Her lawyer claims she was told to write Christian names as the recipients, so they did not arouse suspicion.
The pair first met when she was 14-years-old and he was 22 and carrying out renovations on the family home.
He then went from builder to terrorist, joining just over 100 other Australians fighting in Syria and Iraq.
Sixty-four are confirmed dead - possibly 70. Almost all of them are aged under 30.
The girl, now a month shy of her 18th birthday, says she no longer supports Islamic State and has received religious counselling to moderate her views.
The hearing continues.
