Two women accused of being ISIS brides have been charged with slavery offences after landing at Melbourne Airport on Thursday night. Kawsar Abbas, 54, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, 31, were charged with enslavement and using a slave. Abbas also faces charges of possessing a slave and engaging in slave trading.
Allegations of Purchasing a Slave
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege that Abbas travelled to Syria in 2014 with her husband and children and was complicit in purchasing a female slave for US$10,000 (AU$13,875). She is accused of knowingly keeping the woman in her home. The mother and daughter were taken into custody upon arrival and are expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
Background of the Accused
The two women had been living in the al-Roj refugee camp in Syria for seven years after leaving Australia to join their Islamic State partners. According to the AFP, they were detained in the camp by Kurdish forces in March 2019. Abbas travelled to Syria with Zeinab and her other daughter Zahra to join her husband Muhammad Ahmed. A fourth woman who returned to Australia was not arrested.
Support for Returning Children
It has been confirmed that the children of the ISIS brides will enter anti-radicalisation programs and receive psychological support as they attempt to start new lives in Australia after spending most of their lives in war zones and refugee camps.
Police Statements
AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism, Stephen Nutt, said the investigation is active and involves very serious allegations. He stated that Australian Joint Counter Terrorism Teams have methodically investigated all Australians who travelled to declared conflict areas and will ensure those alleged to have committed criminal offences are put before the courts. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien emphasised that the safety of all Victorians remains paramount and that anyone who has committed serious criminal offences will be held to account.
Political Reaction
The return of the ISIS brides has sparked heated political debate. The federal government insisted it had no role in their repatriation and could do little to intervene as the women are Australian citizens. Labor Minister Tim Ayers said the government has not assisted the return of any such people and holds strong views that they should not have gone in the first place. Nationals Leader Matt Canavan criticised the government for not using special powers to deny entry, while Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume expressed concern about the trauma suffered by a Yazidi woman now living in Australia who was enslaved by Islamic State families.
Victim's Account
The alleged victim, a Yazidi woman, said she was abducted by ISIS at age 11 and taken to the home of Mohammed Ahmad, known as 'Abu Omar', at age 13. She stated that she was kept as a slave for three days and that her life was controlled by them. She has been interviewed by the AFP and is willing to give evidence during the court proceedings.
The women have been charged with crimes against humanity and will face court later today.
