Munich prosecutors in Germany has appealed the 10-year sentence imposed on an Islamic State returnee who watched on as a five-year-old Yazidi girl died from exposure to the sun in Iraq.

The German prosecutors in Munich on Friday disclosed how on Monday, a Munich court sentenced the woman, known as Jennifer W under German privacy laws, to 10 years for membership in a terrorist organization abroad.

The woman was charged with other crimes that include aiding, abetting attempted murder, attempting to commit a war crime and crimes against humanity.

The court heard how the woman, now 30, watched as her husband at the time chained the girl up in a courtyard under the baking sun and left her to die as punishment some six years ago.

The federal prosecutors had originally demanded a life sentence, while the court ruled that a lower sentence was appropriate.

W’s lawyer, Ali Aydin predicted after sentencing that she would be released after serving two thirds of the 10-year sentence.

He noted that she had already spent more than three years in custody while awaiting trial.

W’s defence team, which had called for a two-year sentence, has until November 1, to decide whether or not to appeal.

(dpa/NAN)