Two Australian women charged with slavery offences allegedly committed while living under Islamic State rule in Syria have appeared in a Melbourne court. Kawsar Ahmad, 53, also known as Abbas, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were arrested by officers from the Victorian joint counter-terrorism team at Melbourne airport on Thursday.
Police allege the pair traveled to Syria in 2014 with their family and knowingly kept an enslaved woman in their home. Kawsar is also accused of being complicit in the purchase of an enslaved woman for US$10,000.
Court Appearance
The pair appeared before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan on Monday. The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard that they would not be applying for bail, as had been foreshadowed on Friday. Zeinab is expected to apply for bail at a hearing on June 4, with Kawsar's application expected on June 16.
Peter Morrissey SC, representing Kawsar, told the court that he expected other issues to arise during Zeinab's application, and how they were handled would inform his client's bail bid. Neither woman was required to speak or enter a plea during the short hearing before being remanded in custody.
Allegations and Charges
The Australian Federal Police allege the offences were terrorism-related and are expected to oppose bail. Court documents released to the media on Friday show Kawsar is accused of intentionally exercising any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person, in circumstances where the conduct was committed intentionally or knowingly as part of a widespread or systemic attack directed against a civilian population. She is also accused of intentionally exercising the powers attaching to the right of ownership regarding the use and possession of a slave. Zeinab faces the same two charges.
The offences allegedly occurred between June 1, 2017, and November 1, 2018, at Mayadin, Hajim, Gharanij, Bahra, Abu Hamam, Walaa, and other places in Deir ez-Zur province in eastern Syria. On or about June 1, 2017, in Mayadin or elsewhere in the same province, Kawsar Ahmad is also accused of intentionally engaging in slave trading.
