IS-linked mother and daughter charged with crimes against humanity including slavery face Melbourne court

Two Australian women, Kawsar Ahmad and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, have been charged with crimes against humanity, including slavery offenses, in Melbourne. They were arrested at Melbourne Airport on Thursday after returning from Syria, where they allegedly traveled in 2014. Police allege the women knowingly kept a female slave and that Kawsar Ahmad was complicit in purchasing a slave for $10,000. These charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment, are considered terrorism-related. A third woman, Janai Safar, faces separate charges in Sydney for entering a declared conflict zone and joining a terrorist organization. The Ahmad women appeared in court and were remanded in custody, with bail applications expected on Monday.

Three Australian women with alleged ties to the Islamic State (IS) group have been charged with serious offenses following their return from Syria. Kawsar Ahmad, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were arrested in Melbourne and face charges of crimes against humanity, including allegations of keeping a female slave. Janai Safar, 32, was arrested in Sydney and charged with entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone and joining IS. The arrests and charges occurred on Thursday, with the women scheduled to appear in court on Friday. These charges carry significant prison sentences, reflecting the gravity of the alleged actions.

Two Australian women, a mother and daughter aged 53 and 31, have been charged in Melbourne with crimes against humanity. They allegedly traveled to Syria in 2014 to support the Islamic State and subsequently kept a female slave. The 53-year-old is accused of complicity in the purchase of a slave for $10,000, while the 31-year-old is accused of knowingly keeping a slave in their home. The women returned to Australia on Thursday evening after nearly a decade in a Syrian detention camp following the collapse of the Islamic State. They were arrested immediately upon arrival at Melbourne International Airport.

An Australian woman has been arrested at Sydney airport and charged with joining the Islamic State after returning from Syria. This arrest follows the arrival of two other women facing similar charges in Melbourne. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher stated that the government will allocate necessary funds to ensure the safety of Australians and support the reintegration of children returning from Syrian war zones. She emphasized that the police and intelligence agencies handled the situation appropriately. The government is committed to providing assistance to these children, who are Australian citizens, and will collaborate with state governments and law enforcement to manage their return.

Thirteen Australian women and children, linked to the Islamic State, have returned to Australia from Syria. The group, part of a larger cohort of 34, arrived on Thursday, expressing relief and describing Syria as "hell" for their children. The Australian government was aware of their return and has stated that individuals who have committed crimes will face legal consequences. The government has had plans in place since 2014 to manage and monitor individuals returning from the region. One member of the larger cohort was previously issued a temporary exclusion order, preventing their return for up to two years, but is not part of this arriving group.

Thirteen Australian women and children have returned to Australia after being held in Syrian detention camps for over seven years following the fall of the Islamic State. Two planes carrying the group landed in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday. Australian Federal Police are expected to arrest some of the women upon arrival, with potential charges including terrorism and slavery-related offenses. These women and children had previously lived under IS rule before being moved to camps after escaping the collapse of the so-called caliphate. The children, some born in detention, will receive state-coordinated support services. The government stated that any individuals who committed crimes will face legal consequences.

The Trump administration is urging countries to repatriate their citizens stranded in Syria, particularly those held in the al-Roj camp. This comes as the Australian government maintains a firm stance against repatriating Australian women and children, wives and offspring of Islamic State fighters, who have been detained for over six years. A group of four Australian women and their children recently attempted to return to Australia but are reportedly stuck in Damascus due to the government's refusal to assist. Most of these individuals claim they were coerced or tricked into Syria, and none have been charged with crimes. The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of dealing with foreign nationals, including children born in the camp, in the aftermath of the Islamic State conflict.

A family, the El Gamals, who had been held in U.S. immigration detention for ten months, the longest known duration for a family during the Trump administration's second term, were re-arrested by immigration authorities in Colorado shortly after their release. Their lawyers stated this re-arrest and attempted deportation violated a federal court order that had barred their removal. A U.S. District Judge had initially ordered their release and subsequently granted an emergency order to prevent their deportation. The Department of Homeland Security, however, maintained the family had received due process and dismissed the judge's order. The incident highlights the administration's hardline immigration policies and instances of challenging court orders.

An Egyptian family of six, including Hayam El Gamal and her five children, were taken back into ICE custody days after their release from a Texas detention facility. Their attorney stated they were on a private jet to Egypt due to an alleged court order violation. Attorneys filed an emergency motion to block deportation, which a US district judge granted, temporarily halting the removal. The family had been detained for ten months at the Dilley detention center, with their legal team alleging inadequate medical care. El Gamal's arrest was connected to her ex-husband, who faces charges for a firebombing attack. The circumstances of the alleged court order violation remain unclear.