Australia
Mother and daughter plead not guilty to ISIS slavery charges
An Australian mother and daughter have pleaded not guilty to slavery charges dating from their time living under Islamic State rule.
An Australian mother and daughter have pleaded not guilty to slavery charges arising from the time they allegedly spent living under Islamic State rule in the Middle East.
Kawsar Ahmad, aged 54, and her daughter, Zeinab Ahmad, aged 31, formally entered their pleas in response to the serious criminal allegations, according to reporting by wire services. The two women are facing prosecution over their alleged conduct during their time residing in the conflict zone.
The charges against the pair relate to slavery offences allegedly committed while they were living in territory controlled by the Islamic State group. At this stage, specific details surrounding the nature of the allegations, including the identities of any alleged victims or the precise locations where the crimes are said to have occurred, have not been fully disclosed in open court.
The women returned to Australia after living in the region, where some media reports have previously referred to them as "ISIS brides". Australian federal authorities have spent years investigating and prosecuting citizens who returned from former Islamic State territories, particularly those suspected of committing serious human rights abuses or international crimes.
Legal representatives for the women have not released detailed public statements regarding the specific defence arguments they intend to present during the upcoming legal proceedings. Both defendants remain subject to the ongoing court processes as the prosecution prepares its case for trial.
A date for the trial is yet to be finalised by the court, with preliminary and administrative hearings expected to continue in the interim.
The public will watch for the scheduling of their next court appearance to see when the trial will commence.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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