A woman who left Australia to join the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria has been denied bail amid concerns she may pose a threat of terrorism within Australia. Zeinab Ahmad, 31, was detained upon her return to the country in May alongside other women known as ISIS brides and faces charges related to crimes against humanity, specifically involving the enslavement of a young Yazidi woman.
Ahmad initially had her bail application rejected in June by Victoria’s chief magistrate, Lisa Hannan. Last month, she escalated her appeal to the Supreme Court. However, Justice James Elliott ruled against releasing her, concurring with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that she represents an unacceptable risk to public safety.
In his ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Elliott acknowledged the risk was “low, but it is real,” emphasizing the potential severity of any terrorist-related actions given Ahmad’s prior involvement with extremist ideology. He stated that no bail conditions could sufficiently mitigate the danger posed by her potential conduct.
The judge also contended that Ahmad might be concealing her ongoing adherence to extremist beliefs as a strategy to secure her release. While Ahmad has publicly declared she abandoned the Islamic State and altered her appearance—eschewing traditional clothing for herself and her daughter while in refugee camps—Justice Elliott suggested these actions could be motivated by self-interest to facilitate her safe return to Australia.
Evidence cited in the ruling included Ahmad’s social media activity, which reportedly expressed support for the Islamic State’s caliphate and concepts of martyrdom, indicating ongoing preoccupation with the extremist ideology.
Throughout the one-and-a-half-hour judgment, Ahmad appeared via video link from prison, dressed in a blue hijab, and remained silent.
The AFP began investigating the Ahmad family and their links to the Islamic State in November 2017. The case highlights ongoing challenges for Australian officials in managing individuals who have traveled abroad to join terrorist organizations and subsequently return.