Two Australian women, allegedly linked to Islamic State (IS) fighters, have been arrested and charged with slavery upon their return to Australia from Syria. Authorities claim the women committed “crimes against humanity” while supporting the jihadist group.
The women, accompanied by their children and all Australian citizens, landed in Melbourne on Thursday evening. They had spent years in a Syrian detention camp following the collapse of the Islamic State group. Police apprehended them immediately upon arrival at Melbourne International Airport.
They were among a group of four women and nine children repatriated to Australia, having allegedly traveled to Syria in the early 2010s to join the self-declared caliphate of the Islamic State.
Stephen Nutt, Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) Counter-Terrorism Command, stated that a 53-year-old woman faces multiple “crimes against humanity” charges, including possessing, using, and trading a slave. A 31-year-old woman has been charged with two counts of slavery. Nutt confirmed that these alleged slavery offenses occurred in Syria, emphasizing that community safety remains the top priority for all involved agencies.
A third woman, aged 32, was arrested after landing in Sydney and is expected to be charged with traveling to a prohibited area and membership of a terrorist organization. A fourth woman traveling with the group was not arrested.
The case of these women, often referred to as “ISIS brides,” has ignited strong public debate in Australia. While the Australian Human Rights Commission advocated in March for the repatriation of 34 women and children from Syria’s notorious Roj detention camp, others argue that these individuals made a “horrific choice” to join a dangerous terrorist organization and should face the consequences. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke echoed this sentiment.
Australia had criminalized travel to Raqqa province in Syria, an IS stronghold, between 2014 and 2017 to deter its citizens from joining the militant group. This is not the first instance of Australian citizens returning from Syrian refugee camps, with small groups having been repatriated in 2019, 2022, and 2025.
This article was produced by AFP.
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