Summary:
Three Australian women were denied bail on charges of slavery and terrorism after returning from Syria, where they allegedly had ties to the Islamic State group. Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, 31, face serious charges, including purchasing a Yazidi slave for $10,000, with potential prison sentences of 25 years for each charge. They had been detained in a Kurdish camp since their capture in March 2019.
Another woman, Janai Safar, 32, was arrested upon her return to Australia for being a member of a terrorist organization. She applied for bail in Sydney but was denied. Her lawyer argued for her release, citing PTSD and her son’s well-being.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed no sympathy for the women, stating the government would not support them but would focus on the welfare of their children. The Australian government has been investigating domestic involvement in Syrian atrocities and maintains that repatriation support is limited for those linked to terrorism. Currently, 21 other Australian women and children remain in Syria, with plans for repatriation in the works for some, though high-risk individuals can be restricted from returning under certain laws.
