Turkish women sentenced to death in Iraq for IS links Published duration 25 February 2018

image copyright DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images image caption Hundreds of women have been detained on suspicion of being IS fighters' relatives

An Iraqi court has sentenced at least 15 Turkish women to death by hanging, after they were found guilty of joining the Islamic State group (IS).

Some reports say 16 women were handed the death penalty, while others say one was jailed for life.

The women confessed to marrying IS fighters or providing the group "with logistical aid or helping them carry out terrorist attacks", the judge said.

Thousands of foreigners have fought and died for IS in Iraq and Syria.

The women, said to be aged between 20 and 50, appeared dressed in black at the central criminal court in Baghdad on Sunday. Four had young children with them.

One told the judge that she had fought Iraqi troops alongside the militants, an official said.

At least 560 women and 600 children have been detained in Iraq on suspicion of being jihadists or IS fighters' relatives, AFP news agency reports. Hundreds are now being put on trial.

Earlier this month a Turkish woman was also condemned to die, and 10 others sentenced to life imprisonment.

media caption US-backed forces may be celebrating, but IS has not been defeated

Lawyers for the women jailed for life had argued that they were tricked or coerced into travelling into IS territory, according to a courtroom observer.

The women now have a month to appeal.