Judge, Jury and Executioner: the ISIS Bureau of Justice and Grievances

In May 2019, SJAC obtained 277 internal ISIS documents gathered by an independent, local activist from within abandoned ISIS administrative offices in Tabqa, Raqqa Governorate. This report is based upon a review of nearly 300 ISIS documents—from judgments and sentencing documents, to arrest warrants and interrogation reports, marriage and death certificates, and statements on Ramadan and communications technology. The report looks at the ultimate jurisdiction, power, and control of this Bureau, previously portrayed by ISIS as merely a branch of the judiciary designated to hear complaints against ISIS public officials and fighters.