Australian IS-Linked Families Repatriated from Syria Face Police Custody
Thirteen individuals arrived in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday as the government warns that returnees will face the full force of the law.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links and update notes are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- Thirteen women and children from the al-Roj detention camp in Syria landed in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday afternoon.
- One woman, Janai Safar, was taken into police custody immediately upon arrival in Sydney to face potential terrorism charges.
- Federal authorities are investigating the group for crimes including entering declared areas and crimes against humanity such as slave trading.
What happened
Thirteen Australian citizens with links to the Islamic State (IS) arrived home on Thursday after years of detention in Syria's al-Roj camp. The group includes three women and eight children who landed in Melbourne, while another woman and her child arrived in Sydney shortly afterward. The return marks the conclusion of a complex repatriation process that had been the subject of significant political debate within Australia since 2019.
What's new in this update
Upon arrival in Sydney, Janai Safar, a former nursing student who traveled to Syria in 2015, was immediately taken into police custody. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the government became aware of the return on Wednesday when tickets were booked. He emphasized that any members of the cohort who committed crimes will face prosecution, noting that long-standing plans are in place to manage and monitor those who have returned.
Key details
The group in Melbourne reportedly includes Kawsar Abbas and her adult daughters, Zeinab and Zahra Ahmed. Abbas is the wife of Mohammad Ahmad, who is currently in a Syrian prison and is suspected by Australian police of using a charity to fund IS operations. Police Commissioner Krissy Barratt confirmed that some women face potential charges for crimes against humanity, specifically slave trading, as well as terrorism offenses.
Background and context
These individuals were part of a larger group of 34 Australians who left the al-Roj camp in February but were forced to return due to 'technical reasons' and a lack of official government assistance at the time. One member of the original group remains barred from entering Australia for up to two years under a temporary exclusion order. For years, the Australian government maintained it would not provide help for their return, citing security risks.
What to watch next
The Victorian government has confirmed that children returning to the state will be required to participate in countering violent extremism programs. Meanwhile, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) will continue to monitor the adults in the group. Further legal proceedings and formal charges are expected as police investigations into the women's activities in Syria continue.
Why it matters
The repatriation resolves a long-standing political and security dilemma for Australia regarding citizens who traveled to Islamic State-controlled territories.
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