Australian Women Charged After Returning from Syria
Three Australian women with alleged connections to the Islamic State (IS) group have been formally charged following their return from Syria.
Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, 31, are scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, less than 24 hours after their arrest at Melbourne airport.
Abbas faces four charges of crimes against humanity, with authorities alleging she traveled to Syria in 2014 and kept a female slave in her residence. Ahmed faces two similar charges.
In Sydney, Janai Safar, 32, is also due in court on Friday. She is charged with allegedly entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining IS. Safar was arrested and charged on Thursday after arriving in Sydney with her son.
Details of Charges and Allegations
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that Abbas traveled to Syria in 2014 with her husband and children and was complicit in the purchase of a female slave for US$10,000,
"and knowingly kept the woman in the home".
Regarding Ahmed, police allege she also traveled to Syria in 2014 with her family and knowingly kept a female slave in the home. These charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Another adult child of Abbas, Zahra Ahmed, arrived in Melbourne on Thursday but was not detained.
For Safar, police allege she traveled to Syria in 2015 to join her husband, who had previously left Australia to join IS. She has been charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation. Both offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt stated that police have been investigating
"all Australians who travelled to declared conflict areas and will ensure those who are alleged to have committed a criminal offence are put before the courts".
He added,
"This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations,"emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
Context of Return and Group Details
The three women arrested on Thursday were part of a group comprising four women and nine children who arrived in Australia on the same day.
This group is part of a larger cohort of 34 Australian women and children who had been residing at the al-Roj camp in Syria since 2019.
The cohort initially left the camp in February in an effort to return to Australia but were sent back to the camp for
"technical reasons", with the Australian government declining to provide assistance.
Earlier this year, one member of the cohort was prohibited from returning to Australia through a
"temporary exclusion order", which prevents return for up to two years.
Arrival Scene at Melbourne Airport
Upon arrival at Melbourne airport on Thursday evening, there were chaotic scenes when the only woman not arrested emerged from the arrivals hall.
A group of approximately 15 men, mostly dressed in black, surrounded her and the children to shield their faces from the media present.
