Gun-owning ISIS bride ‘unacceptable risk’

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Australian court heard arguments to keep Kawsar Abbas in custody over slavery-related charges tied to her support for ISIS and involvement in the enslavement of a Yazidi teenager. The case represents a rare prosecution for ISIS-linked crimes against humanity in Australia, with bail denied due to the perceived ongoing risk to community safety.

An Australian court heard on Tuesday that Kawsar Abbas, accused of slavery-related offences tied to Islamic State (ISIS) activities, should remain in custody due to posing an “unacceptable risk” to the community. Federal prosecutor Andrew Sprague argued before Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court that Ms Abbas’s conduct and statements during her time in ISIS-controlled Syria demonstrated ongoing support for the extremist group and its ideology.

Ms Abbas, 54, faces four charges related to the alleged enslavement of a Yazidi teenager, purchased alongside her husband, Mohammed Ahmad, while living in ISIS territory between 2017 and 2018. The charges form part of a landmark Australian prosecution for crimes against humanity linked to ISIS’s persecution of the Yazidi people. The teenage victim was reportedly bought in 2014 for US$10,000 at age 15 and subjected to sexual slavery.

Evidence presented during the bail hearing revealed that Ms Abbas maintained possession of an assault rifle, a Glock pistol, and an ISIS flag in her home in Syria. Prosecutors said Ms Abbas voluntarily embedded herself within the ISIS caliphate, traveling from Melbourne to Syria in 2014 with three of her children after the declaration of the caliphate and the commencement of violent attacks on Yazidis. It was also alleged that while Ms Abbas resided under ISIS rule, her husband and sons actively fought for the organisation.

According to police, Ms Abbas held an ISIS identification card, taught Islamic doctrine to foreign female ISIS members, and expressed views in support of martyrdom and the extremist cause. Authorities further alleged she encouraged her mother to join her in Syria, asserting they were “on the right religious path.” Prosecutor Sprague told the court that Ms Abbas’s words and actions indicated clear endorsement of ISIS and its terrorist acts.

Ms Abbas had offered to abide by strict bail conditions, including movement restrictions, but prosecutors maintained that no possible conditions could adequately mitigate the risk she posed. Sprague highlighted inconsistencies between Ms Abbas’s denials of extremist support during a psychological assessment and other evidence, including social media posts and witness statements. He further cautioned that even a very low risk is unacceptable considering the potential consequences to community safety.

Psychologist Michael Davis, who assessed Ms Abbas, testified he did not observe clear signs of ongoing commitment to extremist ideology, a view challenged by the prosecution.

Chief Magistrate Hannan reserved her decision on the bail application, with a ruling expected on Thursday.

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