The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters has reported that Australian authorities have charged two women linked to the extremist group ISIS with slavery offences after they returned from Syria, where they had been held in a refugee camp for more than seven years.
According to Australian police, the women, aged 53 and 31, were arrested at Melbourne Airport upon arrival and face crimes against humanity charges, including allegedly owning and using a slave while in Syria. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the case remains an active investigation involving serious allegations.
Police said both women traveled to Syria in 2014 with their families and allegedly kept a female slave in their homes. Authorities have not yet commented on their legal representation.
In a separate case, a 32-year-old Australian woman was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with terrorism-related offences, including allegedly joining ISIS. She faces up to 10 years in prison and is scheduled to appear in a Sydney court.
Officials said she had traveled to Syria in 2015 to join her husband, who had previously left Australia and joined ISIS.
The developments come as the Australian government confirmed that several women and children are expected to return from Syrian detention camps without official assistance, amid criticism over border control measures.
Following the territorial defeat of ISIS, many relatives of suspected fighters have remained in camps across Syria. In 2022, Australia repatriated several women and children, while others are still believed to be held in facilities such as al-Roj camp.
