‘ISIS brides’ on slavery charges will remain behind bars, postponing freedom bid

A pair of Islamic State-linked women charged with slavery offences will remain behind bars after postponing their bid for freedom.

Kawsar Ahmad, 53, and Zeinab Ahmad, 31, had flagged plans to seek release into the community, but today before the Melbourne Magistrates Court there were no bail applications submitted.

The duo were among a larger group of women and children who returned to Australia amid chaotic airport scenes after languishing in a Syrian refugee camp for years.

A combined image shows (left) a court sketch depicting Kawsar Ahmad, 53, also known as Abbas, during her bail application in Melbourne, Friday, May 8, 2026 and (right) a court sketch depicting Zeinab Ahmad during her bail application in Melbourne. (AAP)

They were led into the courtroom filled with reporters, with the elder Ahmad donning a light brown hijab while the younger woman wore a pink and white head covering.

They sat in the dock flanked by custody officers, smiling and looking at the courtroom crowd, which included supporters, throughout the proceeding.

While their bid for conditional freedom stalled today, lawyers for Zeinab have flagged a new bail application on June 4 and 5.

Kawsar’s bid will be heard a fortnight later on June 16 and 17.

Both have been charged with several crimes against humanity and slavery offences allegedly committed in Syria.

READ MORE: Outback Wrangler star released from prison, after missing son’s birth

A so-called ISIS bride is escorted into custody by federal officers. (AFP)

Detectives allege Kawsar Ahmad, also known as Abbas, travelled to the region with her husband and children in 2014.

They allege she was complicit in buying a female slave for $US10,000, and knowingly kept the woman in her home.

She has been charged with enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave and slave trading.

Charge sheets released by the court allege the 53-year-old enslaved, possessed and used the slave in Mayadin, Hajin, Gharanji, Bahra, Abu Hamam, Walaa and other places in the Deir ez-Zu province of Syria between June 2017 and November 2018.

It is alleged the younger Ahmad had also knowingly kept a female slave in her Syrian home, with police charging her with enslavement and using a slave offences over the same period.

The two women, from a larger group who returned to Australia from Syria, were remanded in custody. (AAP)

The document stated the pair’s conduct was “committed intentionally or knowingly as part of a widespread or systemic attack directed against a civil population”.

Police said the pair were detained by Kurdish forces in 2019 and held with other family members in Al Roj Internally Displaced Persons camp.

They are among three returnees charged following an almost decade-long investigation, which began after the women travelled to the Middle East with their partners, who allegedly intended to fight for Islamic State.

A third woman, 32-year-old Janai Safar, who flew into Sydney, was arrested and charged with entering a prohibited area and being a member of a terrorist organisation.

She was denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges and will return before the court in July.