Two Australian women accused of slavery offences while living under Islamic State rule in Syria have faced a Melbourne court. Kawsar Ahmad, 53, also known as Abbas, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were arrested by the Victorian joint counter-terrorism team at Melbourne airport on Thursday.
Police allege the pair travelled to Syria in 2014 with their family and knowingly kept an enslaved woman in their home. Kawsar is also accused of being complicit in buying an enslaved woman for US$10,000. The offences allegedly occurred between June 2017 and November 2018 in various locations in Deir ez-Zur province, eastern Syria.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan on Monday, the court heard they would not apply for bail as previously indicated. Zeinab is expected to apply for bail on 4 June, with Kawsar's application scheduled for 16 June. Peter Morrissey SC, for Kawsar, noted that issues arising during Zeinab's application could affect his client's bid.
Neither woman was required to speak or enter a plea during the brief hearing and were remanded in custody. The Australian Federal Police allege the offences are terrorism-related and are expected to oppose bail.
Court documents show Kawsar is accused of intentionally exercising ownership rights over a person as part of a widespread or systemic attack against civilians, and of slave trading. Zeinab faces two similar charges of exercising ownership rights over a person.
