Australian Federal Police charge first ISIS bride after arrest upon arrival in Sydney

An ISIS bride has been charged by counter-terrorism police after being taken off a plane when it landed in Sydney on Thursday evening.

The 32-year-old suspect, identified as Janai Safar, is accused of being a member of a terrorist organization and entering or staying in declared areas.

Australian Federal Police allege she traveled to Syria in 2015 to join her husband, who had previously left Australia and joined ISIS.

He is expected to appear in Downing Center local court in NSW on Friday.

The charges came after Ms Safar, her son and an unknown man were escorted by police from their plane in Sydney.

He was detained before passing through the arrival gate and taken to the Mascot police station.

Melbourne grandmother Kawsar Abbas, 53, and one of her adult daughters, Zeinab Ahmed, 31, were also arrested on arrival at Melbourne airport by joint counter-terrorism teams as part of Operation Kurrajong.

Ms. Abbas is expected to face four slavery-related charges and Ms. Ahmed is expected to face two slavery-related charges.

Abbas’s eldest daughter, Zahra, returned to Australia on the same plane with her eight children and grandchildren.

About 20 family members and security waited outside the Melbourne arrivals terminal.

A scuffle broke out between security and the media after one of the ISIS brides left Melbourne airport and was dragged away by a waiting bus.

AFP Counter-Terrorism Assistance Commissioner Stephen Nutt said operational planning for the potential return of individuals from the Middle East began in 2015.

“Australian joint counter-terrorism teams regularly investigate all Australians traveling to declared conflict zones and will ensure that those alleged to have committed crimes are brought to justice,” he said.

“This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations.”