IS-linked mother and daughter charged with crimes against humanity including slavery face Melbourne court | Australian security and counter-terrorism
Two Australian women accused of crimes against humanity, including slavery crimes, during Islamic State rule in Syria have faced a trial in Melbourne.
Kawsar Ahmad, 53, also known as Abbas, and his daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were arrested by officers from Victoria’s joint counter-terrorism team (JCTT) at Melbourne airport on Thursday.
A third woman, Janai Safar, 32, is expected to appear in a Sydney court on Friday on charges of entering a declared conflict zone and participating in a terrorist organisation.
Kawsar and Zeinab Ahmad were charged with crimes against humanity, including enslavement and slave use. Australian Federal Police confirmed on Friday that Kawsar Ahmad was also charged with owning and trading slaves.
According to AFP’s statement, police will allege that the couple went to Syria with their families in 2014 and knowingly kept a female slave in their home. They will also allege that the 53-year-old man, who traveled to Syria with her husband, was complicit in the purchase of a female slave for US$10,000.
Each of the enslavement crimes carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Kawsar Ahmad’s eldest daughter, 33-year-old Zahra Ahmad, was not arrested or charged. The women came with eight children.
Safar was accused of entering a declared conflict zone in Sydney and joining the Islamic state.
Safar is expected to appear in the Downing Center local court on Friday on charges of entering or remaining in declared areas and being a member of a terrorist organisation, Australian federal police said in a statement on Thursday night. The maximum penalty for both crimes is up to 10 years in prison.
It is alleged that she went to Syria in 2015 to join her husband, who had previously left Australia and joined ISIS. Safar arrived in Sydney with her child on Thursday night.
Planning for the potential return of individuals from the Middle East began in 2015 and was later formalized under a sweeping operation called Kurrajong, AFP deputy commissioner for counter-terrorism Stephen Nutt said in a statement on Thursday night.
“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,” Nutt said.
“JCTTs include some of the most experienced national security researchers and analysts in our country.
“This remains an active investigation into very serious allegations.”
