Two Spanish citizens, Yolanda Martínez Cobos and Luna Fernández Grande, who became central figures in a high-profile case involving links to a terrorist organization, will complete their sentences under semi-custodial conditions. The women, who were repatriated from Syria in early 2023, will serve the remainder of their terms at the Victoria Kent Social Integration Center in Madrid. They are to spend one year and three months under the so-called third penitentiary regime, which allows them to leave the facility during the day and return only to spend the night from Monday to Thursday.
The decision to ease their custodial conditions was made after assessing their personal circumstances and behavior. One of the women has already received approval for partial freedom, while the other is awaiting final authorization. Prior to this, both had spent nearly two years in jail after returning from camps in northeastern Syria controlled by Kurdish forces. They had been charged with participating in and supporting terrorist activities, as well as being present in a conflict zone.
Plea agreement
Initially, both women were held in custody on charges of joining a terrorist organization and supporting its activities. After a lengthy investigation and negotiations between the lawyers, the prosecution, and representatives of the victims, a compromise was reached. The women agreed to a three-year prison sentence, a seven-year ban on certain types of activities, a five-year period of supervision, and mandatory participation in deradicalization programs.
The court temporarily suspended the remainder of their sentences, but later reversed the decision and ordered the women to return to prison. They were given the opportunity to turn themselves in voluntarily to serve their sentences, which both did, choosing an open-regime facility in a specialized center.
Life after returning
A key factor in easing their conditions was the family support both women received and their commitment to social reintegration. Yolanda Martínez intends to care for her four children, who are already with relatives in Spain. Luna Fernández hopes to regain custody of her five children, who remain under the care of Madrid’s social services for now. Some of the children, especially those born in Syria, still lack complete documentation; however, all of them attend school.
Along with the women, four orphans who accompanied them on their journey also arrived in Spain. All of the children were placed in educational institutions, which was one of the conditions for granting the mothers a more lenient detention regime. Authorities also took into account the women’s participation in educational and volunteer programs, as well as their plans for employment.
Links to terrorists
Yolanda Martínez was the wife of Omar El Harchi, who was considered one of the key recruiters in the cell dismantled in 2014. Luna Fernández was married to Mohamed Amin El Aabou, who played a prominent role among the wives of the terrorist group’s members. The investigation established that both women supported their husbands and contributed to the activities of the outlawed organization in the so-called Islamic State.
The prosecution argued that their actions went beyond family obligations and included active support for terrorist activities. However, during the trial, circumstances related to their prolonged stay in the camps, as well as the women’s willingness to cooperate and participate in resocialization programs, were taken into account.
Semi-freedom conditions
To grant the third penitentiary regime, Spanish authorities assess not only the inmates’ behavior, but also whether they have employment, are involved in educational or volunteer activities, and have family support. In the case of Yolanda Martinez and Luna Fernandez, all of these criteria were met. The women are required to spend the night at the center from Monday to Thursday, and are free to manage their personal affairs—including caring for their children and seeking employment—the rest of the time.
This approach allows former inmates to gradually reintegrate into society, reducing the risk of reoffending and helping to restore social ties. Authorities emphasize that being granted semi-freedom does not mean complete release from supervision; rather, it offers an opportunity to adapt to life outside prison.
In case you weren’t aware, Yolanda Martinez Cobos and Luna Fernandez Grande were among the first Spanish women repatriated from Syrian camps after the retreat of ISIS. Their cases sparked broad public debate and became a topic of discussion within legal and human rights circles. The Victoria Kent Center in Madrid specializes in rehabilitating and socially reintegrating former inmates, offering them job support and helping to restore family connections. Spain uses a phased system to gradually restore freedom for those convicted of terrorism-related offenses, provided they participate in special programs and receive community support.
