Three Australian women have been taken into custody and formally charged upon their return to Australia from Syria, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into citizens with ties to the Islamic State. The arrests occurred shortly after the women arrived on a flight carrying a group of repatriated individuals who had been living in the al-Roj camp since 2019.

In Melbourne, 53-year-old Kawsar Ahmad and her 31-year-old daughter, Zeinab Ahmad, were apprehended at the airport and are facing multiple charges related to crimes against humanity. Authorities allege that both women were complicit in the acquisition and enslavement of a woman while residing in Syria after traveling there in 2014. These serious allegations carry potential prison sentences of up to 25 years. A third family member who arrived on the same flight was not detained by authorities.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, 32-year-old Janai Safar was arrested and charged for her alleged involvement with a terrorist organization and for entering a declared conflict zone in 2015. Law enforcement officials noted that she traveled to the region to join her husband, who was already active with the Islamic State. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for these offenses.

The arrests are part of a broader federal effort to hold individuals accountable for their actions while abroad in designated conflict areas. Officials have confirmed that investigations into other Australians who traveled to these regions remain active, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring that those suspected of criminal activity face the judicial process upon their return to the country.