Mother and Daughter Remain in Custody
A mother and daughter facing charges of crimes against humanity and slavery offenses have abandoned their bail application and will stay behind bars until next month. Kawsar Abbas, 53, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after remand on Friday. They now plan a fresh bail attempt soon.
Abbas is represented by barrister Peter Morrissey, SC, known for defending Bali Nine members Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in Indonesia. Ahmad’s case is handled by Grace Morgan, who will lead the initial bail hearing. The first application is set for June 16 before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan.
Chaotic Return and Arrests
The women arrived in Melbourne last Thursday amid chaotic airport scenes, part of a group of women and children returning after years in a Syrian refugee camp. Police detained Abbas and Ahmad upon arrival. Authorities allege Abbas traveled to the region with her husband and children in 2014.
Serious Slavery Charges
Investigators claim Abbas bought a female slave for $10,000 and kept her in her home. She faces charges of enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave, and slave trading, each carrying up to 25 years in prison. Court documents detail the alleged offenses in locations including Mayadin, Hajin, Gharanji, Bahra, Abu Hamam, and Walaa in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province from June 2017 to November 2018.
Ahmad faces similar accusations of enslavement and using a slave during the same period. Documents describe their actions as intentional conduct within a widespread or systemic attack on civilians.
Investigation and Other Returnees
The women were held by Kurdish forces in 2019 at the Al Roj camp with family members. They are among three returnees charged after a nearly decade-long probe into travel to the Middle East with partners who intended to join Islamic State fighters.
In Sydney, 32-year-old Janai Safar was arrested on charges of entering a prohibited area and terrorist organization membership. Bail was denied due to charge severity; she returns to Downing Centre Local Court in July.
Zeinab’s sister, Zahra Ahmad, 33, returned with the group but was released without charges.
