Key Takeaways
- Kawsar Ahmad (53) and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad (31) were arrested at Melbourne Airport by the Victorian Joint Counter‑Terrorism Team and charged with slavery offences allegedly committed while they lived under Islamic State (IS) rule in Syria.
- Police allege the pair travelled to Syria in 2014, knowingly kept an enslaved woman in their household, and that Kawsar participated in the purchase of a slave for approximately US $10,000.
- The women appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan; neither entered a plea or spoke during the brief hearing and were remanded in custody.
- Bail was not sought at this appearance; Zeinab is expected to apply for bail on 4 June and Kawsar on 16 June, with the defence indicating that the outcome of Zeinab’s bid will inform Kawsar’s later application.
- The Australian Federal Police allege the offences are terrorism‑related and will likely oppose bail, citing the alleged conduct as part of a widespread or systemic attack against civilians.
- Court documents detail that the alleged slavery‑related conduct occurred between 1 June 2017 and 1 November 2018 across multiple towns in Deir ez‑Zur province, including Mayadin, Hajim, Gharanij, Bahra, Abu Hamam and Walaa.
- Kawsar is further accused of intentionally engaging in slave trading on or about 1 June 2017 in Mayadin or elsewhere in the same province.
- Both women face identical charges: intentionally exercising powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person, and intentionally exercising those powers regarding the use and possession of a slave, under provisions that treat such conduct as terrorism‑related when committed knowingly as part of a widespread attack on civilians.
- The case highlights Australia’s effort to prosecute individuals for alleged slavery and terrorism offences committed abroad, reinforcing the reach of domestic counter‑terrorism legislation into overseas conflict zones.
Arrest and Initial Court Appearance
Kawsar Ahmad, 53, also known by the alias Abbas, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad, 31, were taken into custody by officers from the Victorian Joint Counter‑Terrorism Team at Melbourne Airport on Thursday. The arrest followed an investigation into allegations that the mother‑daughter duo had participated in slavery‑related crimes while residing in territory controlled by the Islamic State in Syria. Neither woman was required to speak or enter a plea during the brief hearing before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan on Monday; they were simply remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
Allegations of Travel and Enslavement
Police allege that Kawsar and Zeinab travelled to Syria in 2014 with their family and, while living under IS rule, knowingly kept an enslaved woman in their home. The prosecution claims that Kawsar was complicit in the buying of an enslaved woman for approximately US $10,000, a transaction that allegedly facilitated the exploitation of the victim. These allegations form the core of the slavery‑related charges laid against both women.
Charges Filed Against Kawsar Ahmad
Court documents released to the media on Friday outline that Kawsar Ahmad is accused of intentionally exercising “any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership” over a person. The alleged conduct is said to have been committed intentionally or knowingly as part of a widespread or systemic attack directed against a civilian population. Additionally, she faces a second charge of intentionally exercising those same powers regarding the use and possession of a slave.
Charges Filed Against Zeinab Ahmad
Zeinab Ahmad faces identical charges to her mother: intentionally exercising powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person, and intentionally exercising those powers concerning the use and possession of a slave. The prosecution contends that Zeinab’s alleged involvement mirrors that of Kawsar, making her equally culpable under the same legal provisions.
Geographic and Temporal Scope of the Alleged Offences
The alleged slavery‑related conduct is said to have occurred between 1 June 2017 and 1 November 2018 across several locations in Deir ez‑Zur province, eastern Syria. Specific towns mentioned in the charge sheet include Mayadin, Hajim, Gharanij, Bahra, Abu Hamam and Walaa, among others. This timeframe and geographic spread are presented to demonstrate that the offences were not isolated incidents but part of a sustained pattern of exploitation.
Allegation of Slave Trading
In addition to the ownership‑related charges, Kawsar Ahmad is further accused of intentionally engaging in slave trading on or about 1 June 2017 in Mayadin or elsewhere within Deir ez‑Zur province. The prosecution alleges that this act constituted a deliberate transaction in which a human being was bought and sold, underscoring the commercial dimension of the alleged crimes.
Terrorism‑Related Designation
The Australian Federal Police have indicated that the offences will be treated as terrorism‑related. This classification stems from the claim that the alleged conduct was committed knowingly as part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians—a threshold that brings the conduct within the ambit of Australia’s terrorism legislation. Consequently, the prosecution is expected to oppose bail, arguing that releasing the accused could pose a risk to public safety or impede the ongoing investigation.
Bail Proceedings and Defence Strategy
Although the defence did not apply for bail at the Monday appearance, counsel for Kawsar Ahmad, Peter Morrissey SC, indicated that Zeinab Ahmad is expected to submit a bail application on 4 June, with Kawsar’s own bid slated for 16 June. Morrissey warned that the handling of Zeinab’s application—particularly any “other issues” that arise—would inform the strategy and prospects for Kawsar’s later bail request. This staged approach suggests the defence wishes to gauge the court’s receptiveness to bail arguments before committing fully.
Remand and Next Steps
Both women remain remanded in custody following the brief hearing. No pleas were entered, and the case will proceed through further pre‑trial hearings where the prosecution will likely present evidence supporting the terrorism‑related slavery allegations. The upcoming bail applications will be a critical juncture, as they may influence the women’s ability to prepare their defence outside of custodial constraints. The case continues to attract attention as a test of Australia’s capacity to prosecute alleged slavery and terrorism offences committed overseas under the auspices of counter‑terrorism laws.