Two Australian Women Charged with Crimes Against Humanity After Syria Return

Two Australian women have been charged with crimes against humanity, including enslavement, after returning from Syria. This is the first time such charges have been brought in Australia.
By Newsroom | Law, Australia |

Two Women Charged with Crimes Against Humanity After Syria Return

MELBOURNE, Australia - Two Australian women, identified as 53-year-old Kawsar Ahmad and her 31-year-old daughter Zeinab Ahmad, have been charged with crimes against humanity following their arrival in Melbourne on Thursday. The charges include enslavement and slave trading, offenses carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment. Kawsar Ahmad also faces accusations of possessing and using a slave, and engaging in the purchase of a slave for approximately US$10,000. The women are reported to have travelled to Syria in 2014 to support the Islamic State (IS) group and have been living in a Syrian detention camp for nearly a decade before their return. They are being held in custody, with a bail application expected on Monday.

Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity - 1

A third Australian woman, Janai Safar, 32, was arrested upon her arrival in Sydney on Thursday evening. She has been charged with terror-related offenses, including entering a declared conflict zone and being a member of a terrorist organization. Safar is expected to appear in Sydney courts for a bail application.

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Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity - 2

A total of four women and nine children, all Australian citizens, arrived on separate flights into Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday evening, having departed from the Al Roj camp in Syria. While two women were immediately detained and charged, a fourth woman travelling with the group was not arrested. The arrival of these individuals has reportedly placed pressure on the Australian government, with critics questioning preventive measures.

Two Islamic-State linked Australian women charged with crimes against humanity - 3

Background: A Decade Since IS's Territorial Collapse

The return of these women and children marks the end of nearly a decade spent in Syrian detention camps following the collapse of the Islamic State's territorial control. Many of these individuals had previously travelled to Syria and Iraq to join or support the extremist group. Their repatriation comes after the Australian government was made aware of their planned return on Wednesday, with travel tickets booked. The charges brought against Kawsar and Zeinab Ahmad are described as "completely unprecedented" within Australia's legal framework.

Read More: Australian Women From Syria Arrested For Slavery and Terrorism Charges

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were two Australian women charged with crimes against humanity after returning from Syria?
Kawsar Ahmad and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad were charged with enslavement and slave trading after arriving in Melbourne on Thursday, May 8, 2026. They had lived in a Syrian detention camp for nearly a decade after travelling to support the Islamic State group in 2014.
Q: What are the specific charges against Kawsar and Zeinab Ahmad?
Kawsar Ahmad faces charges of enslavement and slave trading, and also of possessing and using a slave, and buying a slave for about $10,000. Zeinab Ahmad faces charges of enslavement and slave trading.
Q: What happens next for the two charged women?
Both women are currently in custody and are expected to have a bail application heard on Monday, May 12, 2026.
Q: Were other Australian citizens also returned from Syria?
Yes, a total of four women and nine children arrived on separate flights into Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday, May 8, 2026. A third woman, Janai Safar, was arrested in Sydney on terror-related charges. One other woman was not arrested.