Three women linked to IS charged over alleged actions in Syria after returning to Australia

"Two women from the group Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31 were arrested by officers from the Victorian joint counter-terrorism team (JCTT) at Melbourne airport. Abbas and Ahmad were charged with crimes against humanity including enslavement and using a slave. Abbas was also charged with possessing a slave and engaging in slave trading, Australian federal police confirmed on Friday."

"The women will allege Abbas and Ahmad travelled to Syria in 2014 with their family and knowingly kept a female slave in their home, AFP said in a statement. They will additionally allege that Abbas, who travelled to Syria with her husband, was complicit in the purchase of a female slave for US$10,000. The enslavement offences each carry a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment."

"One of the returning women is shielded by supporters at Melbourne airport. Janai Safar, 32, was charged in Sydney with allegedly entering a declared conflict zone and joining Islamic state. Safar was expected to face Downing Centre local court on Friday charged with entering, or remaining in, declared areas, and being a member of a terrorist organisation, Australian federal police said on Thursday night."

"It will be alleged she travelled to Syria in 2015 to join her. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years' imprisonment. The women were expected to face Melbourne magistrate's court on Friday. Abbas' other daughter, 33-year-old Zahra Ahmad, was not arrested or charged."

Three women who returned to Australia after years in Syrian detention camps were charged by Australian authorities. In Melbourne, Kawsar Abbas and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad were arrested and charged with crimes against humanity, including enslavement and using a slave, with additional charges for Abbas involving possessing a slave and engaging in slave trading. Authorities allege the women traveled to Syria in 2014 with their family and knowingly kept a female slave in their home, and that Abbas was complicit in purchasing a female slave for US$10,000. In Sydney, Janai Safar was charged with entering or remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining Islamic State, with allegations she traveled to Syria in 2015 to join the group. Abbas’ other daughter was not arrested or charged, and the group arrived with eight children.

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