Lead
A Melbourne grandmother accused of slavery offences committed under Islamic State (IS) rule has been granted bail by Victoria's Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan, who ruled that the risks to the community could be managed with stringent conditions.
Kawsar Ahmad, 54, faced four slavery-related charges after returning to Australia from a Syrian detainment camp in May. The magistrate's decision came after a multi-day hearing in which prosecutors argued against her release, citing concerns about potential extremist ideology.
Coverage Comparison
All reporting on this case comes from ABC Australia, which provided multiple accounts of the proceedings. The coverage details the arguments for and against bail, including police concerns and the defence's assurances of a peaceful life under strict bail conditions.
Key Claims
Bail Decision
Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan granted bail on the grounds that prosecutors failed to prove Kawsar Ahmad was an unacceptable risk to the community. "I propose to grant bail," she said, adding that the risks could "never entirely be eliminated" but that stringent conditions could manage the danger. The decision, which took close to an hour to read out, factored in the safety of the community, as the magistrate noted.
Charges and Allegations
Kawsar Ahmad is charged with enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave, and engaging in slave trading. She is one of several women who returned to Australia in May after living under the former Islamic State regime in Syria. The court heard allegations that she taught religious studies to a slave and that she made Facebook posts declaring support for terrorist groups. Her husband was reportedly an IS fighter, and she has called her late son a martyr.
Police Concerns
Australian Federal Police officer Marc Clendenning expressed doubts about the genuineness of Ahmad's stated change of heart, saying he believed there were risks she could spread extremist ideology if released. Earlier in the week, her daughter Zeinab was denied bail by the same magistrate. At the bail hearing, prosecutors told the court a new risk assessment had been conducted but was not yet ready for the magistrate. Magistrate Hannan expressed frustration, saying, "If I don't have the information, what am I to conclude?"
Defence Arguments
Defence barrister Peter Morrissey SC argued that Kawsar Ahmad no longer supports Islamic State, telling the court she "expressly denounces Islamic State as a disgraceful organisation." He described her likely life under bail as a "very confined" and "peaceful existence," with "small and local life" if allowed to live with family.
Psychological Evidence
Forensic psychologist Michael Davis, who diagnosed Ahmad with interrelated anxiety and depression-related disorders, testified that she was so focused on spending time with her family that she would be "very unlikely to want to leave the house much." Davis expressed hope that living with her family would improve her depressive disorder, noting she had no suicidal ideation but had admitted that "death would be better" when pushed.
Bail Conditions
The bail conditions include regular reporting to police, no communication with people outside Australia, a prohibition on conducting religious teachings, and a requirement to keep a log of visitors. She must also abide by a curfew at a set address and agrees to restrictions on her phone use. Her brother provided a $75,000 surety.