SYDNEY / MELBOURNE – Three Australian women, part of a larger group repatriated from Syria, were arrested on arrival at Australian airports yesterday and today. Authorities have slapped them with serious charges including membership of a terrorist organisation and offenses related to slavery.
A 32-year-old woman, identified as Janai Safar, was taken into custody upon landing in Sydney. She is slated to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court this morning. Her charges reportedly involve entering a declared conflict zone and allegedly joining the Islamic State (IS).
In Melbourne, two other women, aged 53 and 31, were arrested shortly after their flights touched down. The older woman, identified as grandmother Kawsar Abbas, and her 31-year-old daughter, are expected to face multiple charges, including enslavement and using a slave. The 31-year-old woman arrested in Melbourne also faces two slavery-related offenses.
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These arrests follow the return of a group of 13 Australian women and children who had spent years in Syrian detention camps, primarily at Roj Camp. The repatriation was confirmed by the Australian government, which insists it did not facilitate the group's return.
BACKGROUND
The women and children, all Australian citizens, were reported to have allegedly joined the Islamic State group's self-declared caliphate in the early 2010s. Their return marks the second instance of Australian citizens being repatriated from Syrian detention facilities.
Nationalists have voiced concerns over the returnees. Nationals leader Matt Canavan commented on the "concern, obviously," remaining after the cohort's arrival, noting the multiple arrests made at airports.
Meanwhile, the Victorian opposition has proposed an indefinite hiring freeze across public service back-office roles, aiming to curb the state's escalating debt, should they win the upcoming election.
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