ISIS granny and daughter charged with enslavement after return from Syria
Former ISIS brides face 25 years’ jail after police allege they enslaved a Yazidi woman for $US10,000 in Syria before returning to Australia.
NCA Isis brides arrive at Melbourne Airport aboard a Qatar flight. Picture: Jason Edwards
The two Melbourne former ISIS brides accused of keeping Yazidi slaves while living in Syria have been formally charged with crimes against humanity offences after arriving back in Australia.
Melbourne grandmother Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her younger daughter Zeinab, 31, will both appear before a Melbourne magistrate court today.
In the court room, three Middle Eastern men sporting large beards are sitting in the gallery, waiting for the proceedings to commence. It’s not clear whether they are guards or friends or family.
They were arrested by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday night after successfully leaving a detention camp in northeast Syria.
Police allege Kawsar travelled to Syria in 2014 with her husband and children and was complicit in the purchase of a female slave for $US10,000 before knowingly keeping the woman in the family home.
She has been charged with four offences, including enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave and engaging in slave trading. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ jail.
Zeinab is accused of knowingly keeping a female slave in the home after travelling to Syria with her family in 2014. She has been charged with enslavement and using a slave, both carrying maximum penalties of 25 years’ imprisonment.
ISIS bride Janai Safar arrives at Mascot Police station after being escorted from the plane by authorities. PIC: Will Seitam
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt said the charges followed an extensive investigation into Australian citizens who had travelled to Syria.
“Australian JCTTs methodically investigated 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,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
“JCTTs include some of the most experienced national security investigators and analysts in our country.
“This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations.”
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said public safety was the priority.
“Victoria Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and other agencies to ensure there is no risk to our local community,” Assistant Commissioner O’Brien said.
ISIS brides return to Australia. Picture: TNV,
“We want to reassure all Victorians that anyone residing in our state who has committed serious criminal offences, including those returning from conflict areas, will be held to account.”
The pair had been detained by Kurdish forces since March 2019 and held at the Al Roj displacement camp alongside other family members.
The AFP laid charges against a third former ISIS bride, Janai Safar, late on Thursday night for allegedly entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining the terrorist organisation.
The woman, 32, is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today.
Wild footage has emerged of ISIS bride supporters calling a female TV reporter a “s**t” at the Melbourne Airport last night during a big scuffle with media.
The expletive came as Abraham Abbas and his niece, Zahra, were escorted by black-clad Middle Eastern security guards after their release.
“Why did you marry an ISIS terrorist?” the journalist attempted to ask Ahmad.
“Shut up you s**t,” a man in the group replied.
Other journalists and photographers were shoved and hit by the group of men, who The Australian witnessed boasting about their conduct after the bus carrying the group left.
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